Elior UK has teamed up with food redistribution company OLIO to donate surplus food to vulnerable local communities and reduce food waste during Covid-19. 

The partnership launched last month and together with its companies Taylor Shaw and Lexington, Elior has donated 32,564 portions of food/ 15,504 meals to people in need.

Charlotte Wright, CSR Manager at Elior UK said: “Our partnership with OLIO is getting vital supplies to people in need who are either unable to get to supermarkets or visit food banks due to their vulnerability or social isolation.

“None of this would be possible without the fantastic efforts of our site teams. Despite their own personal challenges, they’ve worked tirelessly to ensure our food isn’t wasted and goes to good use by reaching those who need it most, helping both people and the planet. OLIO’s efficient methods and quick responses has enabled us to implement our plan so smoothly and we look forward to continuing our work with them.”

Liam Jones, Business Development Manager at OLIO said: “We have been very impressed with Elior’s fast mobilisation of donating site’s surplus food. We know how impactful the sharing of food is to communities, now more than ever and we’re incredibly grateful to all of our Food Waste Heroes who are helping us by collecting and distributing it at a local level.

“Our partnership has already enabled us to provide 6.5 tonnes of food to people and avoid the bin, what an achievement that is! Any small difference we can make to people’s lives during this troubling time that also helps reduce environmental impact is exactly the kind of change we want to be driving forward”

There are currently 30 sites from across the UK involved in the initiative, with more expected to join as the partnership continues to roll out.