FoodCloud funding increases as non-profit reveals it has redistributed over 260 million meals

FoodCloud, the Irish non-profit that is dedicated to fighting food waste and food insecurity, has revealed new figures that show a big increase in new funding, as well as what it described as the “substantial impact” it has had since it started 10 years ago.

The organisation – which redistributes over 1.5 million meals weekly from more than 4,000 food businesses to 7,500 charities In Ireland, the UK, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Kenya and Indonesia – has redistributed 110,000 tonnes of food since it was set up, according to the figures in its latest annual report.

That amounts to over 260 million meals, according to the report for last year.

Foodcloud, which was founded by Iseult Ward and Aoibheann O’Brien in 2013, now works with all major supermarkets in Ireland and several in the UK. Tesco was the first to get on board and start redistributing its store-level surplus.

Ms Ward was subsequently named on a Time magazine list of “next generation leaders”.

The company has now expanded its impact internationally across six markets, connecting those with surplus food to those that can use it, with its technology solution transforming how businesses with surplus food connect and share with local charities.

The latest report outlines how it has developed its partnership model to other corporate organisations, with AIB being a key supporter. It recently announced a new partnership with the bank for three years that includes sponsorship of a community meals programme producing nutritious meals for community groups through the FoodCloud Kitchen.

FoodCloud received significant new funding in the current year to expand its virtual food banking solution, according to the report.

It posted a deficit of €213,000 in 2022 but the report reveals it returned to a surplus of €765,935 this year. This was primarily driven by increased funding through grants, foundations and major donors.

“This funding is enabling FoodCloud to invest in its technology platform to continue to drive impact through existing partnerships and explore new partners in low- and middle-income countries,” Ms Ward said.

It has received investment from the Department of Foreign Affairs for a virtual food banking project in Kenya and it has begun in-country research on a virtual food banking project in Indonesia, with grant support from The Rockefeller Foundation.

It has also received funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to extend a project aimed at rescuing surplus food at farm level and it aims to scale this across more Irish farms.

“It has been an incredible journey from humble beginnings collecting and donating small amounts of food in Dublin, to now operating across six markets, including the recent pilots in Kenya and Indonesia,” Ms Ward said.

Reporting on:independent.ie