Oddbox Rescues 50,000 Tons of Fresh Produce in Mission to Tackle Food Waste

With as much as 40 percent of food wasted across the globe, the challenge isn’t only about losing precious produce—it is also a climate issue. Every carrot, apple, or tomato thrown away represents wasted water, land, and energy.

Image: Oddbox

Globally, an estimated 2.5 billion tons of food is wasted every year, contributing up to ten percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Project Drawdown, the world’s leading guide to science-based climate solutions, has identified ‘reducing food waste’ as one of the top actions to ease climate change.

In the UK, Oddbox has become a pioneering force in the fight against farm-level waste. The certified B Corp operates as a weekly “rescue mission,” collecting fruit and vegetables that supermarkets reject for reasons such as strict cosmetic standards or unpredictable weather conditions. By embracing what has already been grown, Oddbox provides farmers with a vital outlet for surplus produce while encouraging consumers to eat more consciously. With 70 percent of food waste happening in the home, Oddbox also shares recipes and tips to help customers make the most of their boxes.

Founded in 2016 by Emilie Vanpoperinghe and her partner Deepak, Oddbox started with deliveries to just 20 neighbours and friends in Balham, London. Nearly a decade later, the business has grown to cover 70 percent of the UK, serving more than 50,000 subscribers. To date, the company has distributed over ten million boxes—rescuing more than 50,000 tons of fruit and vegetables, equivalent in weight to 9,000 elephants.

“When we started Oddbox, we didn’t have a grand vision; we just wanted to do something that made a positive difference,” says Emilie, Co-Founder and CEO in an interview with Food Chain Magazine. “The story starts in Portugal, when I came across some amazingly tasty but seriously ugly tomatoes, and that made me wonder why I never found tomatoes like these in the UK. I started doing some research on the UK’s food system and I was shocked to learn how much food never even leaves the farm, not because it’s bad quality, but because it’s the ‘wrong’ shape, size, or surplus to requirements.”

The company’s evolution reflects a broader mission. “We no longer see ourselves as just rescuers of food but as enablers of more conscious eating,” Emilie explains. “Our longer-term vision is to reconnect people with nature and the food system to help them eat better for the benefit of both themselves and the planet.”

Oddbox’s B Corp certification underpins this approach. “Our B Corp certification ensures we uphold this vision, guiding all our strategic decisions as we scale,” Emilie continues. “B Corp isn’t just a badge but a framework we use to keep ourselves accountable and continuously look to improve our operation.”

The company’s core service remains its flexible subscription box, but its offering has expanded with The Market—a platform featuring rescued ambient products, eco-friendly household goods, and refillable pantry staples. Oddbox has also partnered with charities such as FareShare to donate surplus stock. To date, the company has provided the equivalent of 1,967,526 meals, saving a further 820 kilograms of fruit and veg.

"Reflecting on the milestone of ten million boxes, Emilie says: “It’s a powerful reminder of the impact a single idea can have. Every box represents rescued produce, carbon saved, and people doing good with their food choices.”

Looking ahead, Oddbox aims to evolve into a full “nature-led meal solution service” and become the UK’s leading climate-conscious meal solutions provider. By 2030, the company hopes to triple its impact, rescuing more than 150,000 tons of food.

As Emilie concludes: “Food waste isn’t just about leftovers, as it happens much earlier in the chain. We all have a role to play and small changes add up. It’s not about guilt, but about agency, and the more we reconnect with where things come from, the more conscious we become. At Oddbox, we’re passionate about enabling everyone to take small, meaningful steps towards a better planet through their everyday food choices.”