What should I expect from a Pret a Manger collection?
Pret collections are usually large and full of variety, so it's best to come prepared with a trolley and/or sturdy bags. The amount and type of food may vary each day.
Be ready to take as much as you reasonably can and share it widely - this is a wonderful opportunity to spread Olio joy across your community!
Collections take place at store closing time. When you arrive, let the store staff know and wait for the last customer to leave. Store colleagues need time to complete their in-store processes, like noting the amount of surplus. A little patience goes a long way.
Running late? Knock on the door - staff may still be inside cleaning.
💡 Tip: Building a friendly relationship with store staff makes collections smoother. Introduce yourself each visit and be polite and positive - they'll appreciate it!
Store Staff & Surplus Food
Pret staff are allowed to take food for personal use at the end of their shift.
Stores may also use Too Good To Go, so customers might be there to collect bags at a similar time to you.
Any remaining surplus is offered to Olio volunteers.
What food can and cannot be collected?
Category | ✅ Can Collect | ❌ Cannot Collect |
Baguettes, Sandwiches & Wraps | Within use-by date AND clearly labelled | Nothing - baguettes, sandwiches and wraps are allowed ✅ |
Salads & Bowls | Within use-by date AND clearly labelled - if they contain no rice or grains (e.g. quinoa, rice) | Any salad or bowl containing rice or grains such as rice or quinoa |
Chilled Products (yoghurts, fruit, protein pots, unheated toasties) | Within use-by date AND clearly labelled | Any chilled product containing rice or grains |
Pastries / Loose Bakery | Labelled with allergen info by store staff; one allergen label per bag; listed on app as "loose bakery" | Pastries without an allergen label attached by store staff |
Hot Food | ❌ None | All hot food - not donated due to food safety & temperature control requirements |
⚠️ Key Clarification on collecting products with rice or grains
The rice/grain exclusion applies to salad bowls and chilled products containing ingredients like rice, quinoa, and similar grains - it does NOT apply to wheat-based products.
✅ Baguettes, sandwiches, and wraps are absolutely fine to collect, even though they contain wheat.
Tips for Creating Listings for Pret a Manger
⚠️ Unless a collection is labelled as "save me", you should list 90% of the food and try to share it with multiple requesters.
Recommended tips:
Create a pre-listing during the day so nearby Olio'ers know when to expect you to be sharing food.
Group food logically to make managing requests easier (e.g., baguettes in one listing, sandwiches in another).
Include a photo of the "Use By" and "Best Before" date. Only group items with the same dates to avoid confusion.
Sharing Pret food with your community is super rewarding, and a little planning makes it even easier! 🌟
What should I do if...
❓ The collection time is incorrect
Pret stores sometimes adjust their trading hours, and we don't always get the update in time. Please let us know if a time seems off - we'll make sure it's updated for future collections so everything runs smoothly.
❓ There's too much food for me to collect?
Pret collections are often big, which is wonderful news for requesters - but we only ask you to claim a slot if you have the time and ability to transport and share the food safely. 🧡
Sometimes there may be even more than usual, like on days with travel disruptions. If the store communicates in the chat that there's extra, you can ask a fellow Food Waste Hero to join you. Do your best - every bit you share makes a difference!
❓ Someone else collected?
Stores are asked to check Olio ID and the collection schedule before handing over food, but mistakes can happen. If someone else collects by accident, let us know - we'll reach out to the store manager and make sure everything is clear for next time.
💡 Tip: Don't worry - these situations are normal and easy to resolve. You're helping your community, and that's what matters most!