M&S Joins Forces with Neighbourly to Launch Surplus Food Initiative

Image Credit: Neighbourly

M&S is set to trial Neighbourly’s new ‘Surplus Saviours’ food redistribution initiative, marking the first time a UK retailer has embraced such a model. This innovative program will allow individuals to collect surplus food donations directly from Neighbourly’s supermarket and café partners—a step forward in tackling food waste while supporting those in need.

Unlike traditional redistribution efforts that rely on bulk charity donations, this initiative is tailored for smaller-scale collections. Free surplus food will be available at locations where limited quantities or specific collection times better suit the needs of individuals using the service.

The trial coincides with a significant update in food safety guidance. The Food Hygiene Focus Group is revising its policies on collecting surplus Use-By-Date (UBD) food, allowing charities to freeze perishable items until midnight on their expiry date.

This regulatory shift—driven by Neighbourly’s collaboration with Cornwall Council under the Primary Authority partnership—aligns charity rules with consumer ‘freeze-by’ guidelines. As a result, fresh and chilled surplus food can now be safely collected later in the evening, synchronizing with the closing hours of many retailers across the UK.

With these changes, the scale of food redistribution is set to surge. An estimated two million additional meals per week could now be salvaged from UK supermarkets, ensuring surplus food finds its way to people rather than landfills.

Neighborly chief executive Steve Butterworth said: “These are two vital and timely initiatives in our mission to make it easier for businesses to make environmental strides when it comes to surplus redistribution and for communities to have access to valuable resources rather than have them go to waste.

“The most requested items from our network are food and fresh produce, with 50% of local good causes saying there are people they simply can’t help due to limitations in capacity and funding. Unlocking ways to make our economy more circular is paramount.”

The initiative builds on the momentum of Neighbourly’s ‘GoGive’ campaign, which saw retailers—including Aldi and M&S—join forces to provide critical support for charities and community groups. Last month, the campaign successfully mobilized £1 million in financial aid, 5,000 hours of volunteering, and the redistribution of 18 million meals—impacting over 5,000 local causes.