Borough Market traders donate unsold produce to Dragon Cafe

Unsold bread, fruit and vegetables from Borough Market are collected by FoodSave, with the help of Plan Zheroes, at the end of Saturday trading and donated to the Dragon Cafe.

Borough Market was linked up with Dragon Cafe by the FoodSave project which offers free support to small and medium sized food businesses in London to help them reduce food waste.

The development of the scheme has been supported by Plan Zheroes, which finds, supports and inspires food businesses that are willing to donate their surplus food to local charities.

A weekly open creative space for all – with an emphasis on those going through mental illness and recovery – the Dragon Cafe relaunched its weekly sessions in February this year with the backing of Guy's and St Thomas' Charity.

Open every Monday from 12 noon to 8.30pm, the Dragon Cafe provides a safe, stimulating and creative space for more than 200 people each week in the crypt of St George the Martyr Church in Borough High Street.

"Borough Market is committed to inspiring people about food, creativity and sustainability – whether it's our 100 per cent landfill free policy or collecting coffee grounds from our restaurants to use in our Market Hall garden," said Keith Davis, the market's managing director.

"Working with FoodSave, we are proud to be doing our bit to reduce as much food waste as possible, before using surplus food to feed people in need."

The Borough Market traders involved to date are the Bread Ahead Bakery, Karaway Bakery, Olivier's Bakery, Ted's Veg and Paul Wheeler (Fresh Supplies) Ltd.

Charlotte Jarman, FoodSave project officer at Sustain, said: "We are very excited to be working with such an iconic London food destination as Borough Market to divert surplus food to good causes such as the Dragon Cafe.

"Let's hope that this move inspires other markets around the capital to set up similar schemes."