Fighting hunger and putting a stop to food waste with Olio and One Stop
Document author: Cozzi Baring & Grace Parkes
Olio and One Stop started working together in 2021. Since then, they’ve rolled out their Food Waste Heroes Programme across 732 One Stop stores, working together closely to make sure as much food as possible is shared across those sites.
Between 1st January 2023 and the 31st December 2023, through the partnership, Olio and One Stop rescued just over 155,000 meals.
That food went on to feed 14,000 families – saving 50 million litres of water from being wasted and stopping the equivalent of 282 tonnes Co2 from entering the atmosphere. That last bit is like cancelling out 150 return flights from London to New York!
As a community convenience retailer, One Stop is proud of the strong connection that each of its stores have with the communities they serve. Olio’s food sharing partnership is just one of the ways One Stop is committed to making a difference to the lives of local people up and down the country.
To celebrate Olio and One Stop’s 2023 impact, they spoke to a couple of their volunteers, who have been so crucial in helping them make this partnership a success. Here are some of their highlights from their experience of volunteering with Olio and One Stop:
Carolyn, an Olio volunteer collecting from One Stop Higher Blackley Manchester
“The staff at our One Stop store are lovely – always very friendly and helpful. They always have the surplus food ready when I arrive and are genuinely pleased that it is being shared and not going to waste.”
Jorge, an Olio volunteer collecting from One Stop St Andrews Walk
“I come from a country where supermarkets prefer to throw away food rather than give it away – through this app I have met many people […] My neighbours are very happy with the food. Thank you for this opportunity.”
Here’s what Saasha Celestial-One, Olio’s COO and co-founder, had to say about their joint impact in 2023:
“We couldn’t be prouder to be working alongside one of the UK’s best-loved convenience retailers to fight food waste and feed communities across the UK – especially while the rising cost of living means so many are going hungry. It’s been great seeing our partnership going from strength to strength, and we’re even more excited for what we can achieve in 2024.”
“Working with Olio to distribute meals to thousands of people across the country who truly need it, has been fantastic. The communities we serve are at the heart of all we do and we will continue to do everything we can in 2024 and beyond, to reduce and eliminate unnecessary food being thrown away.” commented Nigel Prendergast, Head of Customer and Business Support.