2024 has been a landmark year in our mission to tackle food waste and hunger across London. We've rescued and distributed enough surplus food to provide 38 million meals through our network of 1,264 community organisations and schools, while also expanding beyond food aid with the launch of Felix's Multibank, which has redistributed 1.46 million non-food items to Londoners in need.

Our success has been powered by our growing volunteer network and innovative approaches to food rescue, from farm-to-fork initiatives to new processing techniques. We've established crucial partnerships, including the Coronation Food Project with His Majesty the King and strengthened our collaboration with the Mayor of London to address holiday hunger.

As we look to 2025, we're excited to launch our new Strategy Plan that will guide us through to 2030. Our Vision is a London where good food is never wasted, and no one goes hungry. Thank you for your continued support in making this vision a reality.

• Record-Breaking Impact: The Felix Project has achieved unprecedented success in food rescue during 2024, redistributing 15,846 tonnes of food across London. Working with 328 different suppliers, we've provided the equivalent of 38 million meals to 1,264 organisations, representing a total food value of £63 million.
• Nutrition at the Heart of Our Work: Our food rescue efforts have prioritized nutritional value and variety, with fresh fruit and vegetables making up 49% of our distributed food. Throughout the year, we've expanded our rescue of essential cupboard staples, working across the entire supply chain, from growers and manufacturers to retailers and markets, to ensure a steady supply of diverse, nutritious food for Londoners in need.

• Powered by Volunteers: Our achievements wouldn't be possible without our incredible volunteer workforce. In 2024, 13,398 volunteers contributed over 146,000 hours of their time across our operations. This included 10,683 group volunteers from 370 organisations, demonstrating the strong commitment of London's business community to tackle food waste and hunger. Our volunteers work across various roles, from depot operations to driving delivery vans, each playing a vital part in our mission to rescue and redistribute surplus food.
• Partnerships and Environmental Impact: We've also established crucial new partnerships, including a significant collaboration with Western International Market that has enabled us to rescue 572 tonnes of produce. Through these combined efforts, our food rescue work has prevented 17,730 tonnes of CO₂e emissions, demonstrating our commitment to both social and environmental impact in London.

Felix acts as a crucial link in the community support network, providing food and enabling organisations to better serve vulnerable populations in London

• Extensive Reach: We deliver food to over 1,200 organisations across all 32 London boroughs, impacting an estimated 500,000 individuals every week

• Focus on Vulnerable Communities: 50% of our rescued food is delivered to community organisations in the top 5 most deprived neighbourhoods in the capital.

   

• Beyond Food: Wherever possible, we aim to support organisations offering wraparound services, such as education, training, signposting to essential services, childcare, and social, leisure, & wellbeing initiatives.
• Empowering Organisations: By providing food, we enable organisations to stretch their budgets, expand services, and better support individuals in need. Less money spent on food equals more funds for essential services.
• Strong Volunteer Base: Felix relies heavily on volunteers, with over 13,000 individuals contributing over 146,000 hours of their time in 2024.

The Felix Project took a huge leap forward in influencing change in 2024 with the launch of Felix's Policy Unit. The goal of it is to call for systemic change and fight for policies that support communities in need and better our City as a whole. 

Here's a glimpse into their key achievements:

• Policy Wins: In February 2024, following our joint campaign with FareShare, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced £15m of government funding for a pilot scheme to rescue more surplus food from farms. Since the election, we successfully campaigned for the reinstatement of this vital funding which will provide the equivalent of over 60 million meals across the UK and prevent the waste of 45,000 tonnes of CO₂e equivalent.
• Community Impact: Through partnerships with London boroughs and the Mayor's Office, Felix played a crucial role in supporting communities and ensuring children have access to food during school holidays.

• Empowering Individuals: We launched employability programs in our warehouses and kitchen. 64 participants over the next two years will develop skills including First Aid, Manual Handling and forklift truck driving. In Felix’s Kitchen, we have launched two new programmes - the Commis Chef Apprenticeship and the Packing Traineeship.
• Raising Awareness: Our staff survey showed that 89% of staff have become more aware of pressing issues around food surplus and food insecurity while 97% of those that volunteered in our orchards told us they had increased awareness of food waste and 86% had increased awareness of food insecurity. 

Our work in 2024 demonstrates the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing complex social issues. By combining policy advocacy, community engagement, and giving people the skills and education they need to grow, we are making a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities across London.