Bristol’s collective push to reduce food waste: A festive call to action 

Bristol Food Network volunteer Matilda Grove highlights Bristol’s efforts to tackle food waste – from surplus food redistribution to practical consumer solutions. With the festive season approaching, it’s a timely reminder of how we can all do our part to reduce waste and spread the joy. 

Bristol is leading the charge when it comes to tackling food waste, with business, organisations and residents working together to address this critical issue. Did you know that households in Bristol throw away an estimated 48,000 tonnes of food each year? It’s a staggering amount, and it’s not just a waste of food – it’s a waste of money and resources, and contributes to broader environmental challenges.  

Across the city, collective efforts are focused on reducing waste, saving money, redefining distribution methods and making the most of the great food we have.  

One organisation that really stands out is Fareshare South West, a charity that rescues surplus food from supermarkets, farms, and manufacturers, redistributing it to schools, shelters, and charities. Their vital work intensifies around Christmas, a time when food waste spikes by as much as 30% in the UK. Thanks to FareShare perfectly edible food gets to those who need it most, especially during the festive season.

Another amazing initiative is Avon Gleaning Network, which works directly with local farms to harvest surplus fruit and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. These goods are then redistributed to food banks, community kitchens, and other local initiatives, providing nutritious meals to people in Bristol. By working with farmers to save what would be discarded, the Avon Gleaning Network plays a vital role in reducing food waste and tackling food insecurity. Find out more about gleaning by watching this lovely film on the Bristol Good Food 2030 blog.

Restaurants and cafés in Bristol also play an important role in reducing food waste. The recently launched Bristol Good Food 2030 Hospitality Guide offers a section about waste reduction with direct resources and advice on how food service businesses can minimise their food waste, and food waste packaging. Additionally, the Food Distributors Tool helps business best understand what to do with surplus food, connecting them with charities that can utilise surplus food, allowing restaurants and catering services to consider donating, rather than discarding. 

For consumers wanting to engage directly in reducing food waste, apps like Too Good To Go allow customers to buy surplus food from local eateries, including supermarkets, at a discounted price, preventing perfectly good food items from ending up in the bin. This is a great way to enjoy delicious food, at a reduced cost, while helping to minimise waste.  

Another inspiring local initiative is Bristol Living Soil, a composting project that transforms food scraps into rich, nutrient-dense compost. It’s a fantastic way to turn waste into something that supports sustainable farming and gardening right here in the city. 

Christmas, though – it’s a tricky time when it comes to food waste. We’ve all been there, overestimating how much we need and ending up with more than we can eat…

However, there are simple steps we can take to reduce waste during the festive season, with many organisations in Bristol leading the way in providing good ideas and resources to help. For more practical tips on reducing food waste this Christmas, Bristol Waste Company provides a helpful guide that includes advice on meal planning, portion control, and how to use up leftovers creatively. Their suggestions make it easy to ensure that festive meals don’t result in unnecessary waste. Plus, a lot of these tips save money too! 

This Christmas, join me and so many others in Bristol by being a bit more thoughtful about the food we buy, share, and use. Together, we can make sure less goes to waste and more goes where it’s needed. Let’s enjoy, donate, and make the most of the season! 

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