Our Impact
1/3 of the world’s food goes to waste. That’s enough to end world hunger.
Here’s how we’re making a difference in Southampton…
Every month, we rescue up to 70 tonnes of surplus food from going to landfill.
That’s equivalent to 110,000 meals, filling the plates of those hit hardest by the Cost of Living crisis across Southampton, instead of going to waste.
This totals to over £7.5 million worth of food saved since The Big Difference was founded in 2020.
that’s over £1 million worth of donations from our suppliers each year since we started.
a massive community effort.
Find out more about how The Big Difference got started below…
Despite our best efforts, the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact thousands of people in Southampton, and approximately 1/7 of the UK in 2026.
How we challenge this every day
Our Social Supermarkets help to alleviate the problem of food insecurity by ensuring that the city of Southampton has access to affordable groceries that would otherwise go to waste — helping our planet and people simultaneously.
More than 3000 people every week rely on our services to access affordable groceries, emergency food support, and — most importantly — a sense of dignity that the current economic climate cannot provide.
We work with over 100 charities, food banks and community groups across the city to build our community and support our pursuit of a happier and healthier Southampton.
We could not do what we do without the support of our team, the generosity of our suppliers and the love within our community.
“It is life changing.
For example, we have a customer who had recently relocated to the Northam estate due to housing issues, and came to see us following a recommendation from her neighbour.
She did a shop of what she needs and the total was £11. She came out crying, saying she doesn’t know how she would have survived without the supermarket.”
The Difference our work makes
Want to help make a Big Difference?
Find out more about our volunteer positions by clicking the link below
Here’s what Darren Paffrey (MP Southampton Itchen) had to say after visiting us recently:
"While the government is taking significant steps to support people with the cost of living, it remains the case that there are people in our city who are struggling with the cost of food….
Sanjay and his team of fantastic staff and volunteers are providing invaluable support and it was impressive to see the sheer scale in terms of logistics, volume of food, and manpower that goes into getting this food to people who need it….
I’d encourage anyone who might be able to help to visit this amazing operation in person and see how they could play a part."”
Click here to read our blog post on this visit.
Want to help make a Big Difference?
Find out more about our volunteer positions or locations by clicking the links below
At the heart of The Big Difference are the voices of our service users.
We create spaces where people are heard, respected, and connected.
shaping culturally sensitive services that promote wellbeing, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
This is more than food.
It’s about dignity, connection, and giving communities the tools to thrive.
We are grateful to be supported by an incredible range of suppliers who give their surplus food to our cause, enabling us to continue supporting our community and helping the planet.
If you are in the food industry and would like to support our cause by donating your surplus food and making an environmental change for the better, find out how your business can support us by contacting our team at info@thebigdifference.org.uk
