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Adaptable, sustainable and innovative, Elysia Catering has made saving wasted food a thriving business even during the pandemic with the help of the Zero Emissions Network (ZEN).

Elysia Catering is an Islington-based social enterprise and catering company that takes surplus food from the likes of local bread, cheese and beverage makers among others, to craft breakfasts and canapes and deliver them to offices and events.

From a one-woman business to a committed team of four, Elysia has managed to save over 15 tonnes of potentially wasted food, serving more than 32,000 Londoners since they began in 2017.

To help the business grow while aligning with their sustainable and green mission, they contacted the Zero Emissions Network (ZEN) – an award-winning air quality business liaison initiative. ZEN helped Elysia with cargo bike trials, as well as grants and extra bikes during London lockdowns.

Elysia founder, Sophie Andre, explains:

“We joined the network thanks to Impact Hub Islington a couple of years ago. At Elysia, we wanted to develop a catering delivery service by bike only and ZEN was offering cargo bike trials…[it] really convinced us to move to cargo bike delivery.”

ZEN is free to join and helps businesses in London's City Fringe area save money, reduce emissions and improve local air quality. It also offers free advice and services to switch to low emission energy and travel options, with the goal of making the City Fringe a better place to live, work and visit.

“ZEN is the most helpful network I have been part of,” says Sophie. “Their team has always been very reactive and helpful when we needed a contact or advice in terms of transport.”

The network can also help a small business build on their ambitions with financial help.

“ZEN offered us a grant for our first cargo bike. This initial investment would have been difficult to do quickly for us and their help was very beneficial for the growth of the company quickly. More recently ZEN provided us with an additional bike to help with the deliveries during the lockdown.”

Ever the innovators, Elysia reacted immediately when pandemic lockdown and self-isolation rules came into force by preparing organic food boxes and delivering them to people’s homes. As restrictions eased, they adapted again and began offering event-style food boxes for Zoom conferences whereby organisations could send pre-selected gift boxes to clients’ or colleagues' doors.

Find out how to join ZEN and how it can help you become more emission-efficient.