How you can get free food in Sheffield from shops and neighbours though a handy app

OLIO is a free app that connects neighbours with each other and with local shops and cafes so surplus food and other household items can be shared, rather than thrown away.

According to its website, the app has shared more than 2.75 million portions of food in 49 different countries since launching in 2015.

Users simply take a photo of their spare food and add it to the app, which is free to use.

Neighbours who live nearby receive customised alerts when there’s a new listing – and can request anything that takes their fancy. Most items are offered for free, though users can request a donation to charity for their items.

Food shared could be food nearing its sell-by date from local stores, spare home-grown vegetables, bread from the local baker, or the groceries in your fridge when you go away, move home or go on a diet. You can also share non-food items such as furniture, clothes, toys, household and beauty products.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation says one-third of the world's food is wasted. And according to Wrap, the government’s waste advisory body, the UK throws away about £17bn worth of food each year.

Another food waste app on the market, Too Good To Go, allows food businesses to reduce waste and make money by selling off unsold items nearing their sell-by date at a reduced price.