On World Food Day the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has published its 2024 annual report detailing the positive impact of its activities on more than 2.8 million people across the UK and Ireland.
World Food Day provides a global spotlight to raise awareness of food insecurity and promote action towards creating a better food future for all – a mission shared by Sodexo and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation.
In June 2024, nearly 10 million people in the UK faced food insecurity, according to the Food Foundation. Over the past year, the Foundation has played a key role in addressing this issue by supporting 2.8 million people by redistributing more than 160,000 meals and dedicating 56% of its funding to projects targeting the root causes of food insecurity.
Launched in 2005, the foundation initially focused on providing food aid to communities in urgent need. Over time, it has built a network of charity partners and shifted its focus to addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity, with an emphasis on empowering women to help drive change.
As a purpose-driven organisation, we remain committed to empowering others, both within and outside the business, to drive progress and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and lead a better life.
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The Foundation delivers impact through four key actions: fundraising, volunteering, grant-giving, and building partnerships. It works with 106 charities, Sodexo UK & Ireland, and over 390 clients and suppliers. Supported partners include national food distribution charities including FareShare, The Trussell Trust, and the online reading programme Chapter One, along with local organisations such as community farm, CoFarm.
The Foundation supports its charity partners through grants and hands-on and skills-based volunteering (over 11,400 hours in the 12 months to 31 Aug 2024), helping both their beneficiaries and strengthening their organisations. In turn, these grants have enabled the redistribution of surplus food, provided vegan meals, and allowed farms to donate local produce. They’ve also empowered disadvantaged communities by teaching cooking skills, offering food vouchers to families, and supporting projects that build confidence, assist refugees, tackle homelessness, and fund education for women and young people.
Gareth John, Chair of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and European Director of Sodexo Legal Affairs, says: “This year’s report illustrates the profound impact of our collective efforts—whether through time, resources, or donations—transforming the lives of over 2.8 million people.
“We’re proud of everything we’ve achieved over the past 20 years, but our work is far from finished. As a purpose-driven organisation, we remain committed to empowering others, both within and outside the business, to drive progress and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and lead a better life.
The 2024 Sodexo Stop Hunger report, covering activities between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024, highlights the Foundation’s achievements and shares stories of how these efforts have changed lives.
One notable example of the Foundation’s impact is its collaboration with Chapter One, Sodexo’s Parents & Carers Network, and Sodexo volunteers. Chapter One is a charity dedicated to improving educational outcomes, which in turn addresses a root cause of food insecurity.
Over the past three years, the Foundation has expanded its support from helping 10 children meet reading standards to over 100 children. Additionally, through a competition run by the Foundation, a Sodexo employee authored a story that is now available on Chapter One’s reading platform, used by 4,700 children, as well as on Chapter One’s global free online library.
Emma Bell, CEO of Chapter One, says: “It’s been an absolute delight working with Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, Jean Renton, Chief Finance Officer at Sodexo UK & Ireland and the Sodexo Parents & Carers Network on the story competition. We love their engagement, inspiration and the way they have involved young people in all aspects of the contest. Huge congratulations to everyone involved – we are proud to share the story with the world on the Chapter One Global Free Library.”
Sodexo is the founding partner of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, a UK registered charity. In the UK & Ireland, the Foundation’s mission is to act sustainably to fight food insecurity and its work complements Sodexo’s Social Impact strategy.
Thanks to the financial support of Sodexo, 100% of the donations made to Stop Hunger go directly to financing activities and sustainable solutions for disadvantaged communities to exit food insecurity.
In 2025, the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation will celebrate its 20th anniversary. As the Foundation reflects on two decades of driving positive change, it says it remains committed to its mission of fighting food insecurity and building a better tomorrow.
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