Marks & Spencer colleagues work closely with Neighbourly charity partners to redistribute surplus food from store, supporting over 4.7 million individuals. Over 3,000 local charities and community organisations across the UK provide M&S meal donations to support the community, including families in need, young people, and those with disabilities.
Around 98% of M&S stores support a local good cause each week, with many stores partnering with at least two charities or community organisations. For example, at M&S’ Clapham Junction store surplus food is donated to Ace of Clubs, a day centre that provides hot meals and essential services for vulnerable and homeless people. Each day the charity serves up to 200 people, ensuring those in need have access to nutritious meals when they need them most.
Thanks to the support of hardworking store colleagues, volunteers, and local charity partners, M&S has donated over 100 million meals through its partnership with food redistribution partner Neighbourly, since launching in 2015.
The partnership with Neighbourly has prevented over 49,000 tonnes of good quality food from going to waste. This contributes to M&S’ target of 100% of edible surplus food to be redistributed by 2025/26, as part of its ‘Plan A’ roadmap to net zero.
This year, with many people across the UK needing to rely on food charities to access good quality food, the partnership has seen over 30 million meals donated – the highest ever in the decade-long partnership.
In the next phase of M&S’ partnership with Neighbourly, the retailer is trialling a new surplus food initiative which allows individual collectors to pick up donations to redistribute within the community. The initiative, which specifically supports the 2% of stores which don’t have a regular charity partner to donate to, is set to significantly increase the amount of fresh surplus food reaching those who need it most. The new programme is currently rolling out to an additional 50 stores across the UK and has already enabled M&S colleagues to redistribute the equivalent of over 30,000 meals.
Lucinda Langton, head of sustainability at M&S Food, said: “Since launching our partnership with Neighbourly in 2015, we’ve redistributed the equivalent of 100 million delicious meals for people and communities in need across the UK from surplus food from our stores. This initiative not only helps tackle food waste and supports us in reaching our Plan A goals, but also makes a real difference to those who need it most. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our incredible store colleagues, whose commitment and passion has already helped over 4.7 million people and will continue to provide even more support with the expansion of the individual collector programme.”
Ben Fogle, Plan A Ambassador at M&S Food, said: “As M&S Food’s Plan A Ambassador, I’m delighted that our partnership with Neighbourly is not only reducing food waste but also helping people. We really do our best to keep waste to a minimum, but when we have a little extra, it’s great to know it’s being shared.”
Tracey Cox, store manager at M&S Clapham Junction, said: “We are proud to support our local good causes ensuring essential food reaches those in need. Knowing that our surplus food is making a real difference in the community is truly rewarding.”
