CITY HARVEST 2024: BIGGER AND BETTER

Last year, we made an incredible impact by partnering with City Harvest, a charity dedicated to rescuing surplus food and delivering it to those in need. This cause is especially dear to our colleague, customer host David Cranstoun, who has a close personal connection with the charity. Thanks to your support in 2023, we received the equivalent of 2,799 meals through food collections and monetary donations.

This October, we’re going even bigger! We’re expanding our reach, involving more stations, and setting an ambitious target of providing 50,000 meals. Together, we can provide even more support to those facing hardship and make a lasting difference in our local communities. With your help, we aim to make this year’s campaign the best yet.

Exchange Extra spoke with ARL's stakeholder and community engagement manager, Samantha Nakirya, to share everything you need to know.

What is City Harvest, how does it help communities?

City Harvest diverts quality food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to those facing food poverty across London, helping businesses to support their local communities and become more sustainable.  City Harvest rescues food, people, and the planet by preventing food waste, providing life-changing support to communities across London through food, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste.

How can ARL colleagues participate in the food collection effort?

ARL colleagues can support this year's collection by donating food at any of the 17 stations taking part or HQ. We have set the network a target of 50,000 meals; staff can encourage friends and the supply chain to donate in person or online. If your department would like to support or have any additional ideas to help the campaign, please get in touch.

Which stations across the business will be collecting food donations and is it for a station to join?

Stations taking part with physical donation collections are Kilburn High Road, Carpenters Park, Barking Riverside, South Tottenham, Enfield Town, Highams Park, Hackney Downs, Acton Central, West Croydon, Shoreditch High Street, Kensington Olympia, Dalston Kingsland, Norwood Junction, Hackney Wick, Sydenham, Honour Oak Park, Camden Road and Palestra HQ. (17 stations and HQ).

What types of food donations are most needed by City Harvest?

Donations most needed are dry foods including rice, pasta, soups, cereal, and cooking oil.

How will the collected food be used to support those in need?

Food donations go directly to City Harvest's community partners, which will help vulnerable people through a difficult winter. Partners include homeless charities, nurses, elderly care homes, community kitchens, etc.

Click here to find a list of the community partners the station donations are helping.