Olio

Olio is a free app from London for sharing surplus food and household items with neighbours. Tessa Cook and Saasha Celestial-One founded it in February 2015. Users post food they will not eat, such as vegetables before a holiday or an unopened packet, and others nearby collect it. The app also connects local independent shops with volunteers who distribute their unsold food. According to its website, more than nine million people use Olio worldwide.

Features

• Free listings of food and other items within walking distance, with in-app messaging for pick-up
• Collaboration with shops and businesses that pass on unsold food
• Community of volunteers who redistribute surplus

Limits

Olio is a sharing community, not a shop: food is given away and its quality and availability depend on the neighbours who post. The service is operated by Olio Exchange Limited in England and Wales. Supply therefore depends strongly on the neighbourhood.