Reducing both food insecurity and social isolation

Mar 25, 2025Clean Energy, Farm to Fork, Food Security, Inspiring initiative, Ireland

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Reducing both food insecurity and social isolation in Ireland and beyond

FoodCloud is a social enterprise with a mission to transform surplus food into opportunities to make the world a kinder place. It exists first and foremost to reduce the environmental, social and economic impact of food waste by redistributing surplus food to a network of Charity and Community Group partners. The enterprise was established in 2013 by Iseult Ward and Aoibheann O’Brien, with a shared vision of no good food going to waste.

FoodCloud has three main lines of work:

Connecting retailers with local charities, allowing them to donate food on a daily basis.
Rescuing large volumes of surplus food and redistributing it to charities and communities.
Providing technology for food banks all over the world to enhance their operations.

Collaborations
FoodCloud has many partners, among which organisations doing work on reducing food waste and connecting individuals through food all over the country. For example, the partner organisation Fionnathan Productions is building relationships in their community using food they receive from FoodCloud. Fionn Angus who has Down syndrome is connecting with his community by preparing and sharing food.

Social connection and food security
FoodCloud supports those who are vulnerable and at risk of social isolation and food insecurity, by distributing food to those groups. This includes people with disabilities, lower-income households, women, minority groups and the elderly.