Exeter students secure funding for food redistribution project at climate colloquium
Three Exeter undergraduates have secured funding for their innovative food sustainability initiative, RePlateOx, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Colloquium on Climate, held on Wednesday 11 June. The project, led by Jasmine Kaur (2021, History & Modern Languages), Kiera O’Carroll (2023, Philosophy & Modern Languages), and Haleema Khan (2022, Earth Sciences), was one of three student-led proposals selected for funding by Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey at the event’s closing showcase.
RePlateOx addresses the growing concern around food waste in Oxford’s college system, where surplus meals are a common byproduct of unpredictable attendance. At the same time, food insecurity remains a visible issue across the city. The project proposes a sustainable redistribution network that channels untouched surplus food from college dining halls to those experiencing homelessness.
The initiative centres on a chariot-style bike, operated by student volunteers, which will deliver warm meals across the city. Each college involved will appoint a student liaison to coordinate redistribution efforts, ensuring the initiative becomes a consistent and embedded part of college life. The team also plans to collaborate with local charities, food couriers, and safety advisors to ensure responsible and effective delivery.
Drawing on their diverse academic backgrounds, the Exeter team has combined historical insight, ethical analysis, and environmental science to develop a solution that is both data-driven and socially grounded. Their proposal is informed by more than twenty interviews with individuals directly affected by Oxford’s food systems, from catering staff to those living with food insecurity.
