Supermarket Giant Aims to Reduce Food Waste with New Policy
Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, is set to trial a new initiative where expiring food will be given away for free at the end of the day in select Express stores. This move is part of Tesco’s ongoing efforts to cut food waste and support its sustainability goals.
How the Tesco Food Giveaway Will Work
The trial will focus on already discounted “yellow sticker” items, which will be offered to customers for free after 9:30 PM. However, before reaching shoppers, these expiring products will first be offered to charities and Tesco employees.
A Tesco spokesperson confirmed that the initiative will begin in a limited number of Express stores in the UK, although specific locations and the start date have not yet been announced.
Tesco’s Commitment to Reducing Food Waste
Tesco has a long-standing commitment to reducing food waste. It currently donates surplus food to charities and food banks and has set a goal to halve its food waste as part of its net-zero emissions strategy.
The supermarket previously reported a 45% reduction in food waste between 2017 and early 2023. However, a later correction adjusted this figure to 18% after discovering some waste had been diverted to energy generation rather than human consumption.
How Tesco Compares to Other Supermarkets
All major UK supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi, and Morrisons, have food waste reduction initiatives and partnerships with charities. Aldi has already claimed to have met its goal of halving food waste by 2030. While steep discounts on expiring food are common, Tesco’s new trial appears to be the first direct-to-customer free giveaway program of its kind.
Food Prices and Cost of Living Concerns
The trial comes as inflation continues to drive up the cost of food staples such as meat, eggs, butter, and cereals. Rising living costs have led to a surge in food bank use, with the Trussell Trust reporting over 1.4 million new users in the past two years. Government data shows that more than seven million people in the UK were living in “food insecure” households in 2022/2023, an increase of two million from the previous year.
Tesco’s Market Performance
Despite economic challenges, Tesco has maintained a strong market presence. The supermarket holds a 27.8% share of the UK grocery sector, operating 3,700 stores across the country and an additional 750 internationally.
Its latest sales figures in January 2024 were bolstered by what the company called its “biggest ever Christmas,” driving its highest grocery market share since 2016. However, its share price saw a slight dip of 0.5% on Thursday.
Conclusion
Tesco’s free expiring food giveaway trial could set a new precedent for reducing food waste while supporting struggling households. If successful, the initiative may expand across more stores, reinforcing the company’s leadership in sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
