The Bread and Butter Thing

Who are The Bread and Butter Thing?

The Bread and Butter Thing (Bread and Butter) is the largest member-based food redistribution charity in the UK. They help food budgets go further by providing fresh, healthy affordable food to 100,000 families in low-income communities.

Bread and Butter believe that food clubs are the secret weapon in the fight against food insecurity because they solve two problems in one go – tackling food waste and filling empty fridges.

Over the past year, they have provided 21.4 million meals to their members with 93% saying that they help them save money on buying food.

Bread and Butter bring nutritious, surplus food directly where it's needed most; into communities where access is limited by affordability and availability. It’s free to join, no referral needed and more importantly, no judgement. Just big smiles and even bigger shopping bags.

The food security solution

Bread and Butter hubs have become a trusted space which offers a dignified, positive experience, which reduces stigma and helps families to 'put food on the table'. In the past year, they've helped about 12,400 people to reduce or stop using food banks since joining. 

The power of partnership

Bread and Butter partner with retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, farmers, and growers. And with their help, last year they saved 9,005 tonnes of surplus stock which is also a saving of a 22.5 million tonnes of CO2.

Health is wealth

Fresh fruit and veg make up almost half of what’s on offer, so there’s always plenty of goodness to go around.  Four out of five Bread and Butter members say the scheme helps them get better food than they could otherwise afford. Nearly half (47%) report an improved diet since joining, with 79% eating more fruit and vegetables. And 73% say they’re skipping meals less often than they used to.

Beyond the bags

The communities that Bread and Butter support often feel ignored and isolated. And over the past eight years, their food clubs have become about so much more than just food. They’ve become the beating heart of the neighbourhoods they support, reducing social isolation. And they have the numbers to prove it with 99% of members saying that they feel welcome, 72% now feel more connected to their community and 64% feel less alone.