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Terms and conditions

By creating an account or using FoodSave Local, you agree to these terms. We connect businesses with verified charities — we never handle food ourselves.

Last updated: June 2026

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

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.

1. About FoodSave Local

FoodSave Local helps registered UK food businesses donate surplus food to verified charities, food banks, and community organisations — not for commercial resale. By using the service you agree to these terms.

2. Who may use the service

Business accounts are for legitimate food businesses listing surplus they control. Charity accounts are for registered or verifiable charitable organisations. Council accounts are read-only regional impact viewers. You must provide accurate organisation details and a valid UK contact email.

3. Your responsibilities

You are responsible for activity under your account. Businesses must describe food honestly, declare allergens, and respect pickup windows. Charities must inspect food at collection, store it safely, and only claim what they can use. Both parties must follow UK food safety law.

4. Food safety and liability

FoodSave Local is a digital matchmaker only — we do not handle, inspect, or transport food. Businesses remain responsible until the charity inspects and accepts food at collection; charities are responsible thereafter. We are not liable for food quality, illness, or disputes between parties, except where UK law does not allow exclusion.

5. Verification

Charities are reviewed before they can claim surplus. We may request documents or reject applications. False information may result in account removal.

6. Acceptable use

You must not use FoodSave Local to sell donated food, harass users, upload unlawful content, or misuse the service. Commercial resale of donated food is prohibited.

7. Privacy

We process personal data to operate the service. See our privacy policy at foodsavelocal.co.uk/privacy. You may request account deletion at any time.

8. Changes and termination

We may update these terms; continued use after the “Last updated” date constitutes acceptance. We may suspend accounts that breach these terms.

9. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Questions about this document?

Email team@foodsavelocal.co.uk

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