Fischer Farms partners with City Harvest to tackle food waste and support London communities

Fischer Farms, the firm behind one of the world’s largest vertical farms, has announced a new partnership with London food charity, City Harvest, to help tackle food waste and deliver fresh, nutritious produce to communities across the capital.

The collaboration will see surplus crops from Fischer Farms’ vertical farming trials redistributed through City Harvest’s extensive network of charities, ensuring high-quality food reaches those who need it most rather than going to waste. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to building a more sustainable, resilient food system that benefits people, communities and the planet.

Fischer Farms’ advanced controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology grows leafy greens and herbs in precision-controlled indoor environments. Trial harvests often produce surplus, perfectly edible, nutrient-rich crops not intended for sale, which are now redirected to City Harvest’s food rescue operation.

The impact is already significant. Fischer Farms’ first donation has helped provide the equivalent of 3,086 meals, with 1.3 tonnes of food redistributed and 895 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions prevented through rescuing food for human consumption.

Beyond redistribution, the partnership highlights the role that vertical farming can play in reducing food waste at a systemic level. By growing produce locally in the UK, Fischer Farms significantly reduces the need for long-distance transportation, cutting food miles and shortening supply chains. Combined with carefully controlled growing conditions, this results in crops that maintain freshness for longer, extending shelf life and reducing the likelihood of waste at retail and in the home.

For City Harvest, which supports around 130,000 Londoners every week through a network of food banks, community groups and charities, access to consistent supplies of fresh, high-quality produce is vital in helping communities facing food insecurity.

The partnership marks an important step in demonstrating how innovation in food production can directly contribute to tackling some of the sector’s biggest challenges, from reducing waste and emissions to improving access to nutritious food.

Jon Cummings, Commercial Director at Fischer Farms, said: “At Fischer Farms, we are focused on redefining how food is grown, but just as importantly, how it is valued. Working with City Harvest allows us to ensure that surplus stock from our farm has a meaningful purpose, reaching communities that can benefit from fresh, nutritious produce. It’s a natural extension of what vertical farming can deliver, not just efficiency and sustainability, but real social impact.”

A spokesperson for City Harvest added: “Partnerships like this are critical in helping us rescue more food and reach more people. Fresh produce is one of the most in-demand and impactful donations we receive, and working with Fischer Farms means we can provide high-quality, sustainably grown food to the communities we support across London.”

The partnership also reinforces the broader value of food redistribution. For every kilogram of food redistributed, City Harvest delivers an estimated £3.55 of positive impact, while every £1 invested generates £11.90 of value for society, demonstrating how surplus food can drive meaningful economic, social and environmental benefits.

By combining next-generation vertical farming with established food redistribution infrastructure, Fischer Farms and City Harvest are showing how the industry can take practical, scalable steps towards reducing food waste, ensuring surplus food is used, more efficiently, and for greater good.