Story x City Harvest

At Story Events, we believe that the power of storytelling extends far beyond the events we create—it’s about the impact we can have in the wider community too. Last week, some of our team took a meaningful step in that direction by volunteering with the incredible charity, City Harvest London.

From the warehouse floor to the streets of London, our team rolled up their sleeves and got a hands-on look at the impressive operation that fuels City Harvest’s mission. Their work is simple but profound: rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to those facing food insecurity across the capital.

Our Events Director, Holly, and Senior Account Manager, Frieda, joined the action – packing crates, sorting produce, and even heading out on the road with City Harvest’s delivery drivers. Their journey took them from collecting surplus food donations from retailers, to delivering food to local charities and community organisations.

A highlight? Seeing the fruits of our labour—quite literally—in action. Frieda got to deliver some of the bananas she had packed earlier that day, bringing her full-circle moment to life.

In total, our team clocked up 56 hours of volunteering alongside other team members from Smart Group Ltd, and the collective impact was nothing short of inspiring:

• 🥕 12.5 tonnes of food redistributed

• 🍽️ 29,680 meals delivered to people in need

• 💨 32 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions prevented

These figures are more than numbers – they represent tangible change in the local community and a step towards a more sustainable, compassionate future.

City Harvest has been tackling food waste and hunger since 2014. Every week, their fleet of refrigerated vans rescues quality surplus food from supermarkets, wholesalers, restaurants and producers. That food is then delivered, completely free of charge, to over 375 charities across London, including food banks, homeless shelters, schools and community kitchens.

What makes City Harvest’s model so powerful is that it addresses both food waste and food poverty – two urgent issues that affect millions. With an estimated 14 million people in the UK facing food insecurity, initiatives like this are not just important – they’re essential.

This volunteering day marks just the beginning of a long-term partnership between Story Events and City Harvest. We’re inspired by the scale of their impact and their dedication to both people and the planet. As an agency, we’re always looking for ways to give back with intention, and this collaboration is one we’re incredibly proud of.

We’re already planning future initiatives and volunteer days, and we can’t wait to continue supporting City Harvest’s mission!