What We Do
The Food Sharing Hub is Scotland’s first rescued food shop and exists to save surplus food from supermarkets from an unnecessary fate in the bin.
It’s open for everyone. Simply come along to the Food Sharing Hub. Fill a basket with food and pay as you feel.
How it works
The Food Sharing Hub is working with Tesco, Co-op and Waitrose to collect food from 6 local supermarkets. Volunteers collect perishable foods such as fruit, vegetables, and baked goods that are still fresh and good to eat, but have passed their best before dates and would otherwise be thrown out that day.
Food Sharing Edinburgh also coordinates a network of food collections from small businesses and redistribute it to charities across the city.
Our Impact
Since opening in January 2019, the Food Sharing Hub has sold 1.8 tonnes of food to customers on a pay as you feel basis.
Food Sharing Edinburgh has saved 48.9 tonnes of food in total between Dec 2017 and June 2019. Much of this is redistributed from small businesses directly to charity partners.
Each year, one-third of all food produced for human consumption worldwide goes to waste. This is approximately 1.3 billion tonnes. (FAO, 2019)
In central Edinburgh, 27.1 tonnes of food goes to waste every week - that’s the equivalent of roughly 54,000 meals unnecessarily thrown in the bin. (Zero Waste Edinburgh, 2017)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a member to use the Food Sharing Hub?
No
Is Zero Waste Hub accessible?
The Zero Waste Hub is on ground floor with a small step at the entrance. A ramp is available, just ring the bell and one of our volunteers will happily assist you. All the public spaces throughout the building are step free and there is an accessible toilet with hand rails.
There are disabled parking bays on both parallel streets, East Fountainbridge and Grindlay Street.
All our toilets are gender neutral.
If you have further questions regarding accessibility, please contact the Zero Waste Hub on 0131 281 0583.
Is there nearby bicycle parking?
There is space to lock up your bike on the corner of Lothian Road and Bread Street by Cost Cutters.
What bus routes are you on?
The Zero Waste Hub is located just off Lothian Road and Grassmarket and following bus routes will take you nearby;
Lothian Road routes: 47, 24, 10, 11, 15, 16, 36, 1, 34, 124
Grassmarket route: 2
Is there parking nearby?
There is limited on street parking on Bread Street, but two large car parks a 4 minute walk away;
Thistle Parking
Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL
NCP Car Park Edinburgh Castle Terrace
Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2E
Latest News
Festive Opening Times (Update)
An update to our festive opening times
🕐 22/12/20 👤 SHRUB Coop
SHRUB Jan'21 Opening in Lockdown
An update on our January'21 opening plans following the new lockdown on 26th Dec
🕐 22/12/20 👤 SHRUB Coop
Become a trustee of SHRUB Coop!
We're recruiting for next year's trustees. Application deadline 9am, 20th…
🕐 05/11/20 👤 SHRUB Coop
Upcoming Events
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