The Bread and Butter Thing
The Bread and Butter Thing is a UK charity operating 155 community food clubs across 34 local authorities, redistributing surplus food from major retailers to approximately 100,000 households through £5–£17 subsidised weekly bags collected at local hubs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersTrafford Park, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Bread and Butter Thing does
The Bread and Butter Thing is a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1169383) founded in 2016 in Manchester that operates a network of mobile food clubs to redistribute surplus food from major grocery retailers and food manufacturers to households facing sustained financial pressure. Members place orders via a text-message-based system two days before delivery and collect pre-bagged food (priced £5 for an individual bag, £8.50 for a standard three-bag set, and £17 for a six-bag family set) at one of 155 community hubs — typically community centres, church halls, or schools — with no referral, fee, or contract required.
The operational backbone is a vertically integrated surplus food supply chain: two warehouses with chilled and frozen storage (Eccles in Greater Manchester and Chilton in County Durham), TBBT's own refrigerated van fleet, and contracted logistics partners (DHL, DFDS, Fowler Welch, Freshlinc, Moran Logistics). Surplus is sourced from major UK retailers — Morrisons (since 2016), Tesco, Co-op, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Waitrose, Iceland, Amazon, and Booths — and from manufacturers including Cranswick, Greencore, MS Foods, and Worldwide Fruit. The text-based ordering system is the only technology interface between the organization and its members; there is no consumer app or e-commerce site.
The business model blends four revenue streams: subsidised member contributions (pay-as-you-go, with Healthy Start vouchers accepted), local-authority grants to fund initial hub setup in new areas, philanthropic income from individuals, trusts and foundations (directed or unrestricted), and a tiered corporate partnership programme (Corporate Supporter, Corporate Partner, Strategic Partner) offering financial support, food supply, employee volunteering, and client engagement on multi-year contracts. Approximately 100,000 households across 34 local authorities are supported; in 2025 the organization redistributed 9,005 tonnes of food (equivalent to 21.4 million meals) and reported £132 million of independently-validated social value at a £19.07-per-£1-invested return. The organization employs 11–50 paid staff alongside more than 1,000 weekly volunteers, and is governed by a Board of Trustees with Will Bentley as Chair. Vic Harper is CEO (appointed April 2026 after leading Manchester City Council's pandemic food response); founder Mark Game departed to lead FoodCycle while remaining a Patron. Supporting products include the award-winning 'A Slice of Bread and Butter' podcast, the 'Slice of Life Report' and 'Breadline Brief' policy publications, the 'Social Value Report', and a community engagement initiative called 'Big Brew Time'.
The Bread and Butter Thing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Bread and Butter Thing
- Legal name
- The Bread and Butter Thing
- Website
- https://breadandbutterthing.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Bread and Butter Thing is a UK charity operating 155 community food clubs across 34 local authorities, redistributing surplus food from major retailers to approximately 100,000 households through £5–£17 subsidised weekly bags collected at local hubs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Bread and Butter Thing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Food Redistribution Services
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (62421)
- SIC
- Retail-Food Stores (5400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Buying Clubs & Community Bulk Purchasing Co-ops (CRAHALAE)
Keywords
Where The Bread and Butter Thing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Trafford Park
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Bread and Butter Thing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Member contributions: Members pay subsidised prices for weekly food bags ranging from £5 to £17. Payment collected at hub collection via cash or card. Healthy Start vouchers also accepted.
- Public funding - Local authorities: Local authorities fund initial hub setup costs to establish food clubs in their areas
- Philanthropic funding: Financial support from individual philanthropists, trusts and foundations for growth, system strengthening, and absorbing external cost pressures. Can be directed or unrestricted.
- Corporate partnerships: Tiered corporate partnership programme (Corporate Supporter, Corporate Partner, Strategic Partner) with financial support, food supply contributions, employee volunteering, and client engagement
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual bag - £5 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard bag - £8.50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Family bag - £17 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Corporate partnership tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
The Bread and Butter Thing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Bread and Butter Thing redistributes surplus food from major retailers and manufacturers to households under financial pressure through a network of community food clubs. Members join via text message with no referral, fee, or contract, order weekly bags of fruit and veg, chilled food, and cupboard staples for £5 to £17, and collect from one of 155 local hubs. The end-to-end operation covers surplus collection, sorting, labelling, repacking, and chilled/frozen transport into communities across England.
Product overview
The Bread and Butter Thing operates a single unified offering: an affordable food club model that redistributes surplus food from retailers and manufacturers to communities in need. The core product consists of tiered food bags (ranging from £5 individual to £17 family-sized) containing fruit & veg, chilled food, and cupboard staples. Supporting this core service are research publications (Slice of Life Report, Breadline Brief, Social Value Report), a podcast ('A Slice of Bread and Butter'), and community initiatives like Big Brew Time. The model is delivered through over 155 community hubs across 34 local authorities, requiring no referral or eligibility check.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Affordable Food Clubs / Mobile Food Clubs Core offering: low-cost weekly shopping bags containing surplus food from retailers and manufacturers, including fresh fruit and veg, chilled food, and cupboard staples. Delivered through community hubs in underserved areas, operating without referral requirements or eligibility criteria. Open to anyone with no contract, fee, or means testing.
- Food Bags (Tiered Pricing) Three bag options paid for at hub collection via cash or card: £5 individual mixed bag with fruit and veg, chilled food, and cupboard items; £8.50 standard set of three bags; £17 large family set of six bags with fruit and veg, chilled food, and cupboard staples. Healthy Start vouchers accepted. Prices vary weekly based on available surplus.
Quantifiable outcome
- 93% of members report saving money on food purchases
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use The Bread and Butter Thing
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
The Bread and Butter Thing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Bread and Butter Thing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)corePartnership to distribute phones to help tackle digital exclusion in communities across Greater Manchester. Phones provided as part of GMCA programme with distribution through TBBT hubs.
- MorrisonscoreSince 2016, working with Morrisons to distribute surplus food from their manufacturing and retail operations. Partnership includes feedback on social impact.
- Sodexo UK & Ireland Stop Hunger FoundationcoreCorporate partnership with Sodexo's Stop Hunger Foundation including trustee visits, grant funding to offset inflation for members, and volunteering support. Partnership includes episodes on the podcast discussing root causes of food insecurity.
- HubbubcoreEnvironmental charity partnership working on digital inclusion and community engagement initiatives.
- Groundwork (Green Doctor)coreEnergy advice and support services delivered through TBBT hubs by Groundwork's Green Doctor programme. Helps members with energy bills, efficiency measures, and fuel vouchers.
- Yes Manchester CIOcoreEmployment support partnership delivering roadshows at TBBT sites to help unemployed and under-employed people access employment opportunities.
- Trafford Housing TrustcoreEmployment and Skills Service partnership delivering support through TBBT hubs. High referral rates achieved through hub-based presence.
- NHS Manchester Talking TherapiescoreMental health support partnership bringing talking therapies into TBBT hubs. Partnership recognised as effective model for accessible therapy delivery.
- Citizens AdvicecoreDebt advice services provided through TBBT support pages, helping members access financial guidance.
- StepChange Debt CharitycoreFree debt advice services referenced in support resources for members experiencing financial difficulty.
- TescocoreMajor retailer supplying surplus food for redistribution through TBBT network.
- Co-opcoreMajor retailer supplying surplus food for redistribution.
- Sainsbury'scoreMajor retailer supplying surplus food. Featured in Sainsbury's and Comic Relief vodcast featuring TBBT member James.
- AldicoreMajor retailer supplying surplus food including seasonal produce like pumpkins.
- AmazoncoreAmazon supplies over 200 tonnes of food annually including high-quality meat products, milk, and ready meals. Also provides non-food donations.
- AsdacoreMajor retailer supplying surplus food.
- LidlcoreMajor retailer supplying surplus food.
- WaitrosecoreMajor retailer supplying surplus food.
- IcelandcoreMajor retailer supplying surplus frozen food.
- BoothscoreRegional retailer supplying surplus food with long-standing redistribution partnership.
- CranswickcoreFood manufacturer with sustainability plans for zero edible food waste by 2030. TBBT is key redistribution partner taking all kinds of product from ingredients to finished goods.
- Worldwide Fruit LtdcoreInternational fruit marketing and distribution company supplying surplus produce from over 1000 growers worldwide.
- GreencorecoreUK's leading food manufacturer producing convenience products. Sustainability-focused partner with production units across UK.
- MS FoodscoreFood manufacturer supplying surplus products.
- DHLminorLogistics partner for food transportation.
- DFDSminorLogistics partner for food transportation.
- Fowler WelchminorLogistics partner for food transportation.
- FreshlincminorLogistics partner for food transportation.
- Moran LogisticsminorLogistics partner for food transportation.
- Food FoundationcorePartner for Broken Plate podcast discussing food affordability and the real cost of eating well.
- National Endeavour partners (City Harvest, Community Shop, FareShare, The Felix Project, Feeding Britain, His Church, IGD, Neighbourly, Trussell, Xcess Network)coreCollaborative initiative under Number 10 leadership to triple surplus food redistribution. TBBT worked alongside major redistribution organisations to shape shared approach.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Bread and Butter Thing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Felix Project: London-based food redistribution charity rescuing surplus food and delivering it to frontline charities, schools, and food banks. Same surplus-redistribution mission as TBBT, primarily serving the London region rather than the North of England.
- City Harvest: London-based food redistribution charity rescuing surplus food and delivering it free to over 130 community organisations serving those facing food poverty. Direct operational peer in the UK National Endeavour to End Avoidable Food Waste alongside TBBT.
- FareShare: UK's largest food redistribution charity, redistributing surplus food from the supply chain to over 8,500 frontline charities. Directly comparable to TBBT in mission and surplus-redistribution model, though FareShare operates B2B (to charities) while TBBT operates B2C through community hubs.
- FoodCycle: UK charity turning surplus food into free community meals while bringing people together to reduce food waste and loneliness. Shares TBBT's surplus-food and community-connection mission; notable overlap as TBBT's founder Mark Game became FoodCycle CEO in April 2026.
- Feeding Britain: UK anti-poverty charity working on affordable food, Holiday Hunger programmes, and food poverty policy. Listed alongside TBBT in the National Endeavour and shares TBBT's focus on systemic, prevention-focused approaches to food insecurity.
- His Church: UK food redistribution charity operating as part of the National Endeavour to End Avoidable Food Waste with TBBT. Comparable community-based surplus redistribution work though operating in different regional footprints.
- Trussell Trust: UK-wide network of over 1,400 food banks providing emergency food parcels to people in crisis. Addresses the same food insecurity need as TBBT, but via emergency food aid rather than TBBT's preventive community-club model; 12,400 TBBT members have reduced or stopped food bank use.
- Community Shop: Member-based affordable food stores operated by the Company Shop Group for families experiencing food insecurity. Closest commercial-format peer to TBBT's community food club model, though Community Shop operates fixed storefronts rather than mobile weekly hubs.
Emerging players
- OLIO: Mobile app for sharing surplus food between neighbours, businesses, and volunteers to reduce food waste. Tangentially comparable to TBBT's surplus-food mission, but operates peer-to-peer at household level rather than hub-based community redistribution.
- Neighbourly: UK tech platform connecting surplus food from retailers and manufacturers to local charities, including food banks and community organisations. Listed with TBBT in the National Endeavour; operates as an enabling technology layer for the same surplus-redistribution ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Bread and Butter Thing social profiles
Digital presenceThe Bread and Butter Thing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Bread and Butter Thing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Bread and Butter Thing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Bread and Butter Thing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Bread and Butter Thing
What does The Bread and Butter Thing do?
The Bread and Butter Thing redistributes surplus food from major retailers and manufacturers to households under financial pressure through a network of community food clubs. Members join via text message with no referral, fee, or contract, order weekly bags of fruit and veg, chilled food, and cupboard staples for £5 to £17, and collect from one of 155 local hubs. The end-to-end operation covers surplus collection, sorting, labelling, repacking, and chilled/frozen transport into communities across England.
Is The Bread and Butter Thing a public or private company?
The Bread and Butter Thing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Bread and Butter Thing founded?
The Bread and Butter Thing was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Bread and Butter Thing based?
The Bread and Butter Thing is headquartered in Trafford Park, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Bread and Butter Thing make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Member contributions are the primary driver. The others are public funding - Local authorities, philanthropic funding and corporate partnerships.
Who are The Bread and Butter Thing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Felix Project, City Harvest, FareShare, FoodCycle, Feeding Britain, His Church, Trussell Trust and Community Shop. Emerging players are OLIO and Neighbourly.
Does The Bread and Butter Thing have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Bread and Butter Thing.
What industry is The Bread and Butter Thing in?
The Bread and Butter Thing's product category is Community Food Redistribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHALAE, Buying Clubs & Community Bulk Purchasing Co-ops. Its NAICS code is 62421 and its SIC code is 5400.