Network Rail: Local communities benefit as Food Waste Heroes scheme rolls out at rail stations

Network Rail, in partnership with food travel experts SSP, has teamed up with the local food sharing app Olio to combat food waste through its Food Waste Heroes programme.

A total of 34 rail stations across Great Britain, including 17 Network Rail managed stations, are now participating in the scheme that ensures that good-to-eat surplus food, which would otherwise go to waste, is instead made available without charge to those within the local community. It is estimated that the partnership could feed nearly 11,000 households annually by donating 150 tonnes of food annually.

It follows a successful 12-week trial at Network Rail's London Waterloo station from April to June this year that saw contributions from retailers including Starbucks and Whistlestop stores, providing 3,112 meals from 4,300 items that benefited 127 households. The initiative is now being rolled out across other retail brands.

Hamish Kiernan, Commercial Director, Property at Network Rail, said: “Rail stations across Great Britain are an integral part of the communities they serve. That is why it was so important for us to be involved in the Food Waste Heroes initiative. It ensures that leftover food from retailers at our stations is not wasted but instead reaches the local community.

“It is a great example of how businesses can collaborate to make a positive impact. By working closely with SSP, Olio and now other retail partners, Network Rail will be able to not only cut food waste but also drive greater sustainability and deliver more for local people.”

Under the programme, collections of edible pre-packaged items that didn't sell in time are set aside by retail staff, picked up by volunteers, listed online and shared with local communities through the Olio app. 

Meredith Ford, Head of Sustainability at SSP UK and Ireland, said: “Reducing waste is not only a core part of our sustainability strategy but also makes good business sense. While we work hard to ensure we generate as little food waste as possible, there will always be some stock that we need to dispose of at the end of the day, so we're delighted to be partnering with Olio to ensure this is redistributed to the community.”

Helping Network Rail and SSP support local communities, the scheme builds on Olio's work to share food throughout the UK. Olio data from 2023 surveying users who request food on the app found that 1 in 5 have an average household income of below £10,000. Forty percent said they had cut down on meals in the last year because there wasn't enough money for food.

Saasha Celestial, co-founder and COO at Olio, added: “We're thrilled to announce this partnership with Network Rail and SSP through our Food Waste Heroes Programme at Waterloo Station and 33 other UK locations. It's another powerful step towards a waste-free retail sector, and we know that our 4 million UK users are loving seeing such good quality food being shared by volunteers on the app.”

Additionally, Olio is sponsoring the Christmas tree at London's Victoria station this year. The tree will bring festive cheer to thousands of commuters and visitors who pass through the station daily, highlighting Olio's year-round commitment to food sustainability.

End-of-year data up to March 2024 from The Trussell Trust showed that food bank users have increased by 94% over the past five years.

Notes to Editors

• The initiative includes a total of 34 rail stations across Great Britain, 17 of which are Network Rail managed stations, the busiest stations on the rail network.
• Network Rail managed stations: Waterloo, Birmingham New Street, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Manchester Piccadilly, Charing Cross, Clapham Junction, Paddington, Reading, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, Guildford, Kings Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street and Victoria.
• Stations managed by Train Operating Companies: Brighton, Cambridge, Marylebone, Cambridge, Cardiff Central, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Oxford, Coventry, Edinburgh Haymarket, Richmond, Sheffield, Fenchurch Street, St Pancras International, Sutton, West One and Woking.
• The Food Waste Heroes initiative involves redistributing surplus food from station retailers to local communities. This effort has not only reduced waste but also provided much-needed support to the local communities served by these stations.
• Food items shared include pre-packed sandwiches, baked goods, salads, and ready meals, helping people and families stay fed with a balanced and healthy diet.
• Waterloo station trial - Over 5,600kg of CO2 emissions were avoided, 1,000 kilolitres of water saved, and 3,112 equivalent meals provided through the initial pilot scheme, with over 4,300 items saved from going to waste.
• While the majority of food waste is generated by households, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates that of the circa 10 million tonnes of food wasted a year, around 15% of this comes from the hospitality and retail sector – which this scheme aims to tackle.
• Network Rail Property create exceptional spaces for customers, alongside developing sustainable neighbourhoods surrounding stations. This generates income from the extensive property portfolio and is reinvested back into the continued transformation of the railway.
• The regeneration of railway land supports the delivery of new homes, workspace, retail and public realm for communities. Unlocking value from our land across the UK regions allows us to make a stronger contribution to both communities and wider economic growth. We create successful strategic partnerships across both the public and private sector to enable this regeneration and the continued delivery of vital infrastructure.

About SSP

SSP Group plc (LSE:SSPG) is a global leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations employing around 49,000 colleagues in over 3,000 units across 37 countries. We specialise in designing, creating and operating a diverse range of food and drink outlets in airports, train stations and other travel hubs across six formats: sit-down and quick service restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, and food-led convenience stores. Our extensive portfolio of brands features a mix of international, national, and local brands, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our clients and customers.

Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and we are committed to delivering leading brands and innovative concepts to our clients and customers around the world, focusing on exceptional taste, value, quality and service. Sustainability is crucial for our long-term success, and we aim to deliver positive impact for our business while uniting stakeholders to promote a sustainable food travel sector.