Tesco has finalised a deal to give all surplus food from its stores to charity.
Tesco hopes to involve 5,000 local charities and groups in an initiative that aims to eradicate food waste and help vulnerable people.
The retailer’s latest report shows that 55,400 tonnes of food were thrown away at its stores and distribution centres in the UK last year, of which around 30,000 tonnes could otherwise have been eaten – equivalent to around 70 million meals.
The plan is a to roll out nationwide a trail which took place in 14 stores, called the Community Food Connection, which over the last six months has generated more than 22 tonnes of food, the equivalent of 50,000 meals.
It will launch in 15 cities and regions this week, including Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton and Portsmouth, and will cover all stores by the end of 2017.
The scheme operates by using a digital open platform called FareShare FoodCloud that allows store staff and charities to liaise to distribute surplus food.
Tesco and FareShare are appealing for 5,000 charities and community groups to join up and receive the food.
Tesco is also calling on other retailers to adopt FareShare FoodCloud to create an industry-wide platform.
The initiative also includes the launch of a new ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ range of ‘wonky’ vegetables that previously may have been thrown away and will be on sale at low prices, in line with several other grocers.
Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis said: “We believe no food that could be eaten should be wasted. That’s why we have committed that no surplus food should go to waste from our stores.
“We know it’s an issue our customers really care about, and wherever there’s surplus food at Tesco stores, we’re committed to donating it to local charities so we can help feed people in need.
“But we know the challenge is bigger than this and that’s why we’ve made a farm-to-fork commitment to reduce food waste upstream with our suppliers and in our own operations and downstream in our customers’ own homes.”
FareShare chief executive Lindsay Boswell said: “We are delighted to be offering our store level solution in partnership with Tesco who are demonstrating real leadership in tackling food surplus.
“FareShare FoodCloud is a natural extension of our work together which has already provided nine million meals to help feed vulnerable people.”
