open
kitchen
SUSTAINABLE - ETHICAL - DELICIOUS
VALUES & ETHICS
Intercepting perfectly edible food that will otherwise go to waste
Our mission is to reduce food waste, support a sustainable future and support people who are struggling with food insecurity.
In the UK around 15 million tonnes of food is wasted every year, and the vast majority of it is perfectly edible. Food taken to landfill decays and produces the potent greenhouse gas, methane. Over 20% of the UK’s carbon footprint is related to food and food waste.
The most sustainable thing we can do with perfectly edible food that is going to go to waste is put it in a belly, rather than a bin. That’s where we come in! We work with a huge range of food businesses and intercept fresh, beautiful food that would otherwise go to waste, and turn into delicious meals. For every tonne of food intercepted, we stop around 4.2 tonnes of CO2e from being emitted.
A sustainable food future
We purchase exclusively from organisations that share our environmental and ethical values. This means we support local, independent, sustainably produced, seasonal and fair-trade companies.
Access to enough food and great food for all
As a social enterprise, our pay-it-forward model means that profits from our catering allows us to provide ingredients and meals to people across Greater Manchester who are struggling with food insecurity. We support local independent food pantry and community grocer schemes that support individuals and families in not falling into crisis, by making essential products more affordable, while offering dignity and choice.
Dignity, choice and social inclusion - a positive community future
Along with a huge range of campaigning and support organisations, Open Kitchen is fighting for a future where food banks are no longer needed. We support the work of groups like Greater Manchester Poverty Action and the Independent Food Aid Network, who seek to end the need for emergency food provision, by supporting people and families in getting out of poverty in real and long lasting ways.