When it comes to cola, a couple of brands whose names we can't remember tend to dominate the market. But if you want real cola (made with actual kola nuts) with the added benefit of knowing your purchase will help the people producing it, look no further: Karma Cola was named "The World's Fairest Trader" in 2014 by Fairtrade International, and portions of its profits go towards helping the village in Sierra Leone where it ingredients are harvested.
Food waste? Not on FareShare's watch. The company is on a crusade against hunger, doing so by redistributing food that would otherwise go to waste from suppliers and manufactures around the country to charities and communities who need it. The London branch is based in Deptford, and through there and 19 other regional centres around the UK, it's able to feed 167,000 people in need per week.
From the streets to the kitchen – Beyond Food Foundation is one organisation making a difference to London's homeless population. Its Freshlife programme gives homeless people work placements in some of the best and brightest kitchens in the capital, oversees their training, and hosts supper clubs at its headquarters at social enterprising restaurant Brigade to raise much-needed funds and give the aspiring chefs a chance to shine.
You'll probably have heard of Action Against Hunger due to the sheer volume of good work it does to combat famine in London and beyond. As well as its annual event Auction Against Hunger – the last of which was held at Street Feast's Dalston Yard and made more than £105,000 through admissions, dishes from top chefs and prize auctions – there are eclectic events held throughout the year at some top London restaurants.
Photograph by Jonathan Dunne
A weekend street-food stall with a difference, Tanya Gohill's DEVI's food truck serves up modern Indian chaat at markets around London, and the proceeds go towards building schools for girls in rural India, with the aim of improved gender equality across the subcontinent. So you can tuck into a "Mmmmumbai Grill" – a take on a club sandwich with masala aubergine and slaw – and know you're helping make a difference to people who need it.
With every passing year, our view on waste becomes more important. Thankfully, Olio has one solution in the form of its app, which connects users with neighbouring shops and restaurants to make use of food that would otherwise be thrown away. It also hosts supper clubs based around reclaimed food.
Want to know more? Read our feature on London's social enterprises dishing up good food for good causes.
