Open Kitchen MCR - Funding Community Education with Surplus-Led Catering
Topics
Growth was combined in a surplus-led corporate catering offering with a new food waste education programme (funded by profit from catering) to maximise impact across the entire value chain.
Creating an engaging and hands-on education format to get the local community excited about cooking and maximising ingredients.
252.75 tonnes of food was saved from waste and repurposed into catering or redistributed to community groups; the successful completion of the education pilot programme and launch of the Cooking in Schools initiative. The team, local community groups and schools, corporate partners, local authorities and business networks.
Ahead of target to reach 2,340 children across 156 lessons in 2026, Open Kitchen MCR is funded by their self-sustaining surplus-led catering operation model.
Judges' Comment
“The team’s ambition and commitment to sharing their objectives and impact across the supply chain was evident. This entry includes clear information on the challenges faced, excellent use of statistics and helpful supporting documents. This is a small project making a big difference, both in resourcing surplus food and educating others. An excellent entry and very well done.”
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