Surplus: what products to expect and Natasha's Law
What food items are donated and what allergen labelling rules apply
This article explains what products you can expect to collect through the Neighbourly surplus programme, how collection notifications work, and what allergen labelling rules apply.
What kind of products can we expect to collect?
Surplus food donations typically include items that are no longer suitable for sale but are still safe for consumption. These include fresh fruit, vegetables, bakery items, dairy, and long-life products.
- Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury's schemes — fruit and vegetables, bakery, non-perishable food, and flowers or garden items
- M&S scheme — all of the above, plus chilled and frozen food
Products with a 'best before' date can be donated. Items past their 'use by' date cannot be donated due to food safety regulations.
How will I know when food is available for collection?
Scheduled groups receive a notification by text or email when surplus food is available at a partner store. Do not attempt to collect food unless you have received this notification. Show the confirmation or collection code to store colleagues when making your collection.
To check your collections and their statuses visit neighbourly.com/myinkind/goodcause/archive.
What is Natasha's Law and how does it affect us?
Natasha's Law (also known as PPDS — prepacked for direct sale allergen labelling requirements) affects how your organisation handles certain food products. Guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) can help you check how your organisation is affected. Specific guidance for the Neighbourly surplus scheme, including a link to allergen information for loose food products, is available on the Natasha's Law information page on the Neighbourly website.