Pupils at four London schools have helped save 26 tonnes of food from going to waste, by enjoying community meals made using surplus ingredients that would otherwise go to landfill.
Community dining charity FoodCycle, which transforms perfectly good surplus food into healthy free vegetarian meals, has partnered with four Ark Academy schools, to help tackle food waste and encourage healthier, more sustainable diets.
Each week pupils and their families at are invited to a free community meal served by FoodCycle volunteers, in addition to regular school meals – at Ark John Archer Primary Academy in Clapham, Ark Globe Academy in Southwark, Ark Atwood Primary Academy in north Westminster, and Ark White City Academy.
The service brings families together to share nutritious meals, helping alleviate stress on shopping budgets, while supporting healthier diets for children and their loved ones, with nutritious fruit, vegetables, and pulses.
Now FoodCycle is appealing for more London volunteers to help prepare and serve meals, ensuring even more food surplus is saved and supporting healthier diets for local families. No prior experience is needed, and training is provided.
Volunteers are needed to help at: Ark Globe Academy in Southwark, between 4pm and 7.30pm on Tuesdays; Ark Atwood Primary Academy in north Westminster, between 2.30pm and 7pm on Tuesdays; Ark John Archer Primary Academy in Clapham, between 3pm and 7.30pm on Wednesdays; and Ark White City Academy, between 4pm and 7.30pm, on Thursdays.
They are among seven UK schools offering FoodCycle community meals in London and the West Midlands. Together they have saved 26 tonnes of surplus food from going to waste, since the programme was piloted in 2024.That’s the equivalent weight to around five elephants, or nearly 65,000 tins of baked beans.
Nationally the saved food was transformed into more than 12,500 two-course meals enjoyed by pupils, their families and volunteers, with additional food bags for families to take home, when available.
Across the four London schools, more than 10,860 meals have so far been served, and more than 22 tonnes of food has been saved from going to waste.
Last year FoodCycle carried out research with 22 families who regularly attend their school community meals. Almost all (91%) said their children had tried new foods thanks to FoodCycle, and more than four in five (81%) said their family now eats more fruit and vegetables as a result, while 65% said attending the meals helped with their weekly budget.
All the parents asked (100%) said eating with other families was good for wellbeing and mental health, with 94% saying they felt happier after attending FoodCycle school community meals. Ninety per cent had made friends with other families, and 84% said the meals meant their family spent more quality time together.
