How it works
Same-day surplus, matched locally
FoodSave Local connects food businesses with verified charities across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Businesses list end-of-day surplus; nearby charities reserve and collect — with allergens, pickup windows, and handover documented in one place.
We never handle food. We match, coordinate, and record impact.
The platform flow
Built for closing-time pressure: a business can post surplus in minutes; charities nearby get a real-time view of what is available to collect today.
How Foodsave Local works
Create a pickup window, add weight and notes, and publish in one flow. Matching uses your coordinates so only charities in range are notified.
Join as a businessFrom reserve to collected
Charity browses & reserves
Verified charities see surplus within their search radius, review allergens and handling notes, then reserve a collection slot.
Pickup coordination
Both sides see pickup windows, location, and quantity. Charities can mark “on my way” so businesses know collection is incoming.
Documented handover
At collection the charity inspects the food, confirms handover in the app, and takes responsibility from that point. Impact (kg, meals, CO₂) is recorded automatically.
Food safety & liability
FoodSave Local is a digital matchmaker only — we do not handle, inspect, or transport food. Donating businesses remain responsible for safety, labelling, and storage until handover. Charities inspect at collection and take responsibility for transport, storage, and use. Each listing records allergen and handling disclosures agreed by the business.
Who is responsible for food safety?
Responsibility for food safety transfers from the donating business to the receiving charity when the charity inspects the food at collection and accepts it for transport.
Food business (donor)
From listing until physical handover
- Only list surplus they control and would redistribute safely
- Accurate allergen declarations, use-by / best-before dates, and handling notes
- Safe storage (including chill chain) until the charity collects
- Compliance with UK food safety law and their food safety management system
Charity (recipient)
From inspection at collection onward
- Inspect food at collection and refuse anything unsafe or poorly stored
- Safe transport and storage (temperature control where required)
- Communicate allergens to kitchen staff and beneficiaries
- Use food promptly and never resell donated surplus
- Compliance with UK food safety law for their operation
FoodSave Local (platform)
Throughout
- Provide tools to share listings, allergens, and pickup coordination
- Verify charity registrations where possible
- Do not inspect, transport, store, or guarantee food
- Not a party to the physical donation — not liable for food quality or illness
Who uses FoodSave Local?
- Cafés, bakeries, grocers, catering, and university food operations listing same-day surplus
- Registered charities and food support organisations collecting for community meals
- Councils and funders viewing regional impact data (read-only reporting)
Ready to join?
Register as a food business or verified charity. Both sides use the same platform — web and mobile.