Liverpool FC: A First for Food Sustainability in Football

Liverpool FC is one of the most influential football clubs in the world, becoming the most-watched Premier League team in the 2024-25 season with a cumulative audience of 133.8 million viewers.

Alongside its impact in the sporting world, it has an opportunity to create positive change for the environment and the communities in Liverpool and beyond.

Liverpool FC has become the first football club to achieve the Food Made Good Standard across its entire food and beverage operation.

Achieving a sustainable food standard

Liverpool FC has earned a two-star rating in its first Food Made Good evaluation across five key sites.

The Standard is delivered by The Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) and is a globally recognised certification that assesses organisations across three pillars: Sourcing, Society and Environment.

Across the LFC sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Centre and the Academy, Liverpool FC has introduced a range of initiatives to support more sustainable food systems.

These initiatives include on-site allotments and gardens to help promote seasonal produce and strengthen the connection between players, staff and club partners to sustainable food practices.

Its further initiatives include the removal of single-use plastics such as straws and cutlery at Anfield, the introduction of reusable cup and food-tray schemes and fan-facing recycling programmes.

In recent seasons, more than one million plastic bottles have been collected in these recycling programmes.

Juliane Caillouette Noble, CEO of SRA, says: “We are so thrilled to see Liverpool FC complete the Food Made Good Standard, earning an impressive two stars in their first evaluation

“From sourcing ingredients responsible and reducing single-use plastic waste, to supporting communities through LFC Foundation, the club’s Red Way initiatives are both comprehensive and impactful.

“As the first club-wide football club to achieve the Food Made Good Standard, Liverpool FC is leading the way for live sports and events, proving that food service operations of any shape or size can work towards tangible goals and create real change – both inside their operations and in their wider communities.

“We look forward to working with them as they continue on their sustainability journey.”

Liverpool FC’s sustainability strategy

Achieving the Food Made Good Standard reflects Liverpool FC’s sustainability strategy, The Red Way, which focuses on building a better future for its people, planet and communities.

The club is working towards its goal of recycling 100% of food waste by 2030.

Surplus food from matchdays is redistributed, providing 1,200 meals each week to local communities in the Merseyside area.

As well as its commitments to tackling food waste, Liverpool FC is supporting local organisations and social enterprises.

Its LFC Foundation is working on creating meaningful community impact.

To date, 18 young people have been supported into roles within the club’s hospitality operations through its targeted employability programmes.

Paul Cuttill, Chief Operating Officer at Liverpool FC, says: “Creating a food system that is environmentally restorative and socially just is central to our approach at LFC.

“Certification to the Food Made Good Standard, a comprehensive global sustainability mark, reflects the progress we are making across our operations to deliver for our people, our planet and our communities.”