What we do
Good food should be eaten, not wasted
Every day, supermarkets and other businesses across Edinburgh are left with good food that they can no longer sell.
Our volunteers collect that surplus food, bring it to our Gorgie Hub and make it available to the community – quickly, safely and fairly.
Everyone is welcome. No referral or proof of circumstances is needed.
How it works
1. We collect
Our volunteer Collection Team collects surplus food from supermarkets, shops and other local businesses across Edinburgh.
2. We sort
The food is brought back to our Hub, where volunteers check and organise it ready for opening.
3. You choose
Visitors choose the food they will use and fill a basket for a £4 donation, which helps us cover the cost of running the service.
What is available changes every day because we only redistribute the surplus food we receive.
Visit our Hub
177 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh
Open every day from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon
You do not need a referral, membership or proof of income. Tummies Not Trash is open to everyone because preventing good food from being wasted benefits the whole community. Instead of being thrown away, this food goes straight back into the community.
What might be available?
Every collection is different, but surplus food can include:
- Fruit and vegetables
- Bread and bakery items
- Chilled food
- Cupboard essentials
- Frozen items
- Drinks, snacks and seasonal products
We cannot guarantee that a particular product will be available. The selection depends entirely on what our partner stores have left over that day.
Why it matters
When edible food is thrown away, the food itself isn’t the only thing wasted. All the energy, water, transport, packaging and work used to produce it are wasted too.
By getting surplus food to people while it can still be used, we:
Prevent good food from becoming waste
Make better use of existing resources
Support a more sustainable local food system
Give people an affordable way to use food that would otherwise be lost
Open to everyone
Tummies Not Trash is a sustainable food model, not crisis support.
We don’t divide people into those who are considered deserving and those who aren’t. We use one fair system for everyone, creating a welcoming space where people can choose food without judgment.
This is about waste prevention, community participation and treating people with dignity.
Be part of it
Our work depends on volunteers, local businesses and community support.
Have surplus food?
Find out how your business can work with us.
[Partner with us]
Want to volunteer?
Help with collections, Hub shifts or one of our supporting teams.
[Volunteer with us]
Want to support the work?
Your donation helps keep the Hub, van and daily collections running.