Five major UK supermarkets have launched a joint fundraising and logistics initiative in April 2026 to tackle food insecurity. The “Let’s Make a Meal of It” campaign will run across M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose, while the Alliance Food Sourcing (AFS) coalition coordinates surplus food recovery and transportation to charities nationwide. The effort aims to provide millions of meals and reduce food waste.
What is the Alliance Food Sourcing initiative?
The Alliance Food Sourcing (AFS) coalition is a UK industry partnership of supermarkets, food suppliers, logistics providers, and charities. Its goal is to rescue surplus food from production and supply chains and redistribute it efficiently to frontline charities. The initiative also uses spare lorry capacity to reduce transport costs and ensure a predictable supply of meals for people facing hunger.
At a glance
- Campaign runs across M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose in April 2026.
- Every £1 raised provides five meals for people in need.
- Surplus food recovery focuses on vegetables, protein, and staple items.
- Over 10 million meals have already been redistributed by AFS.
- Logistics optimization uses spare HGV capacity to reduce charity costs.
- Suppliers include Greencore, Samworth Brothers, Barfoot’s, and Myton Food Group.
- Target: 30 million meals per year by 2028.
How does the UK food industry address hunger?
The campaign combines fundraising with operational efficiency. Surplus or mispackaged food from production lines is rescued and repackaged for charity distribution. Logistics are optimized using unused truck space to deliver food across the UK. This approach allows charities to access more food with longer shelf life and lower transportation costs, scaling support for vulnerable communities.
What types of food are being rescued?
AFS focuses on vegetables, protein, and staple items. Examples include surplus chicken, pasta, ready meals, diced sweet potato, and sauces. Food is recovered from production line switches, mispackaging, and bulk formats, then repackaged or processed into meals for charities. This reduces waste while addressing the most urgent nutritional needs.
Which supermarkets and suppliers are involved?
The campaign involves five major retailers: M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose. Key suppliers include Greencore, Samworth Brothers, Barfoot’s, Myton Food Group, and Charlie Bighams. These companies collaborate to recover surplus food, repack products, and use factory and transport capacity more efficiently, creating a coordinated supply chain for charity distribution.
What is the industry context?
Food waste is a persistent challenge in the UK supply chain, with 4.6 million tonnes of food wasted annually before reaching consumers. Charities often face high transportation costs and inconsistent food availability. The AFS model demonstrates how cross-industry collaboration and operational innovation can reduce waste, improve logistics, and provide a more sustainable approach to feeding vulnerable populations.
What happens next?
The campaign continues to expand participation from more food businesses. AFS aims to redistribute 30 million meals annually by 2028. Retailers and suppliers will further refine surplus food recovery and transport efficiency, potentially serving as a model for similar initiatives in other countries. The program also seeks to improve long-term logistics capabilities for the charity sector.
Editors’ Note: All information in this article is sourced from the official Sainsbury’s announcement of the “Let’s Make a Meal of It” campaign and the Alliance Food Sourcing initiative. Additional details on food redistribution and logistics come from the public operations of the participating UK supermarkets and charities. All figures and program updates are current as of April 2026.
