wagamama x foodcycle

feeding people from bowl to soul 

to us, food has always been about more than what’s in the bowl. it’s about connection, community and the little moments that bring people together. that’s why foodcycle feels like such a natural partner for us 

right now, too many people across the uk are facing food insecurity, while many others are living with loneliness. foodcycle is helping change that, one community meal at a time 

since april 2025, we’ve donated £62,500 to support their work - the equivalent of more than 30,000 dishes 

but we didn’t want to stop there. we wanted to roll up our sleeves too, sharing our people, skills and time to help foodcycle create welcoming spaces where more people can enjoy a nourishing meal and a good conversation

who are foodcycle? 

foodcycle brings people together over free community meals, giving anyone who needs good food + good company (or both) a place to feel welcome. their volunteers turn good-quality surplus ingredients into nutritious vegetarian meals across 91 locations in the uk, serving more than 3,600 community meals every week 

and it goes far beyond what’s on the plate. every meal helps reduce food waste, fight food poverty, support wellbeing and create spaces where people can sit down, share stories and feel they’re a part of something 

• 67% of foodcycle guests eat meals outside of foodcycle alone 

• 67% of foodcycle guests can’t afford to buy the food they need 

our commitment 

when the partnership began, we asked ourselves how wagamama could show up in a way that felt genuinely useful. the answer was simple: food, kitchen know-how, restaurant experience and people power. so here’s what we’re bringing to the table: 

• funding community meals so foodcycle can welcome more people in for free, nourishing food 

• cooking alongside foodcycle volunteers serving wagamama-inspired plant-based meals in community kitchens, donating food and sharing what we know 

• sharing skills from kitchen confidence to warm hosting, helping volunteers create even more welcoming moments 

since then, the partnership has grown into hands-on action across the uk, with donations, chef collaborations, volunteer support and menu fundraising all helping foodcycle create welcoming spaces around good food 

our impact so far 

• £62,500 donated 

• 30,000+ dishes funded 

• 85+ head chef hours donated across 10 different locations  

• 3 course wagamama plant-based meals served to over 400 foodcycle guests 

• 6 foodcycle volunteer upskilling sessions 

• 180 volunteer awards 

from commitment to impact 

what began with a donation has grown into something more hands-on. together, wagamama and foodcycle are turning funding, surplus ingredients, chef time and volunteer support into warm community meals that feed more than just appetites 

with more than 30 years of restaurant experience, we’ve got food skills, kitchen knowledge and plenty of people power to share. so from the start, we knew this partnership had to go beyond a donation 

so far, we’ve hosted kitchen collaborations across the uk, donating food, equipment and chef time to work alongside foodcycle volunteers. together, we’ve served three-course, plant-based, wagamama-inspired meals to more than 400 guests across 10+ locations 

we’re also supporting the people behind foodcycle’s work, with volunteer upskilling sessions that share kitchen and hosting skills to help every guest feel welcome. and in 2026, we’ve helped recognise volunteers with 180 gift cards and merch items

introducing revive juice 

we wanted to create something on the menu that everyone could be part of. so, inspired by our partnership with foodcycle, we made the revive juice 

made with broccoli and coriander stems, revive gives overlooked ingredients a fresh start, transforming them into something bright, refreshing and full of purpose 

and, for every revive juice sold, we’ll donate 20p to foodcycle, helping them bring more people together over free community meals 

it’s a simple way to try something new, help good food go further and support more people to feel welcome around the table 

feed the people week 

from 19 october, we’re putting our purpose front and centre with feed the people week - a week of food, time and skills shared in support of foodcycle’s mission 

team members from our restaurants and noodle hq will be leaving behind the woks and laptops to volunteer in foodcycle’s community kitchens up and down the country 

our chefs will cook alongside foodcycle volunteers, and our leaders will get stuck in too, together helping to create more warm, welcoming moments around the table. while our restaurant teams, chefs and noodle hq colleagues will volunteer at foodcycle projects up and down the country 

steve mangleshot, our executive chef, will host a london kitchen collaboration, cooking a three-course wagamama-inspired meal with donated ingredients and sharing skills with volunteers 

and our leadership team will join foodcycle’s ceo in islington, working alongside volunteers to prepare, serve and share food with guests 

why this partnership matters 

foodcycle’s mission connects closely with our own purpose: to feed the people, from bowl to soul. together, we can do more than donate meals. we can help create places where people feel welcome, connected and cared for 

thanks to foodcycle: 

• 75% of foodcycle guests eat more fruit and vegetables 

• 87% of foodcycle guests leave feeling well-fed 

• 78% feel more connected to their community 

how you can help 

whether you’re visiting wagamama, looking for support, or ready to give your time, there are simple ways to get involved 

• try revive juice and help support foodcycle with every glass sold 

• find a community meal if you or someone you know could use good food and good company 

• volunteer with foodcycle and help create welcoming spaces in communities across the uk 

related content: sustainability  

want to see more of what we’re doing? explore wagamama’s wider commitments and the choices we’re making to do better for people and planet