University of Leicester

Food Rescue Volunteers – 1000 sandwiches saved

The Food Rescue Volunteers Society is a shining example of how collaboration between passionate students and the University of Leicester can spark transformative change.

Founded in 2023, the students are on a mission to combat food waste and boost food accessibility on campus. By tapping into the University's robust support systems and fostering cross-departmental collaboration, the Food Rescue Volunteers not only save students money but also support sustainable resource consumption across the University (more than 1000 sandwiches have been rescued and redistributed so far).

This initiative empowers student leaders to become true agents of change, making a tangible impact on sustainability and community well-being.

What the Judges Thought

A clear, simple and effective initiative which has become increasingly student-led over time, and deliberately so. Good to see some community involvement, with scope to do more. This initiative feels readily replicable – inspired judges to want to implement this in their institutions, and to know more on how it was done.
Good co-benefits and an impressive number of sandwiches saved!

What it Means to Win

“As Citizens of Change, we are passionate about changing lives for the better and empowering our community to do so. This award recognises the valuable efforts of our students and staff to improve social equity and reduce the University’s negative impact on the environment.”

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President & Vice-Chancellor

Top 3 Learnings

1. Successful cross-departmental collaboration shows innovative solutions emerge when diverse groups unite for a common goal.
2. Empowering students as change-makers fosters sustainability and develops critical skills for future challenges.
3. Reducing negative environmental impacts can also increase positive social impacts.