Thursday, 08 October 2026
The university is hosting a number of pop-up Re-Store FareShare shops across our three campuses, to help tackle food waste and provide students with the opportunity to buy quality surplus food at a low cost.
With the rising cost of living, food prices continue to put pressure on students and households. At the same time, an estimated 10 million tonnes of food is thrown away in the UK each year – including a staggering 20 million slices of bread every day (WRAP, 2025).
To help students access affordable, good-quality food whilst reducing the environmental impact of food waste, staff and students at our Sutton Bonington campus launched an innovative pilot initiative in October 2025, in collaboration with FareShare Midlands, the Midlands’ largest surplus food redistribution charity.
The project has three key aims:
- Redistribute surplus food - including fresh, store-cupboard, chilled, and frozen items
- Reduce food waste and promote sustainability
- Provide affordable food access for our students
Upcoming sessions
Sessions will run weekly, until early December 2026. Pop-up shops will run on all three campuses, from:
Location: Jubilee campus – Exchange building, Global Exchange Lounge (GEL)
Date and time: Thursday 8 October, from 12pm – 12:45pm
Location: University Park campus – Malone Atrium (C Floor), Portland Building
Date and time: Friday 9 October, from 12pm – 12:45pm
Location: Sutton Bonington campus – Under the Bandstand
Date and time: Wednesday 14 October, from 12:15pm – 1:15pm
How to join a session
- – it’s quick and easy!
- Bring your own shopping bag to the Pop-up store on campus
- Pay just £5 on the day (cash or card)
- Fill your bag with a generous selection of fresh, high-quality food – including proteins, fruits, vegetables, bread, and more. The selection changes weekly, so there’s always something new to discover.
By taking part, you’re helping reduce food waste, support sustainability, and keep this amazing initiative alive on campus. It’s a win-win for your wallet, your health, and the environment.
Impact so far
Thanks to FareShare Midlands and the exceptional team of volunteers, the pilot has been a great success. So far:
- 900 students and staff signed up
- 1,952 shops completed
- Over 10 tonnes of surplus food saved from landfill - that’s the weight of around three African elephants and is also equivalent to
- Approximately 24,000 meals
- 16.8 tonnes of CO鈧� emissions avoided
- 15.6 million litres of water conserved
- Retail value saved: £32,000