Redistributing surplus food in retail is a big focus area for the UK supermarkets right now – and Asda announced this week it is working with community app Olio to help support its efforts in this space.
The grocer’s ‘back of store’ food donation scheme will involve it entering into a new three-way partnership with long-standing food redistribution charity FareShare and local food sharing app Olio.
The partnership with Fareshare and Olio will ensure surplus food in retail operations, which is just past its best before date but still edible, can be collected from 209 of Asda’s larger stores when local charity support is not available. FareShare local food charities will still be prioritised in receiving donations.
FareShare will connect Olio’s ‘food waste heroes’ – local volunteers who help collect would-be waste food to share with those who need it most – with their local Asda stores. They will then redistribute the goods in their community.
Asda said the addition of Olio as a food redistribution partner will see more than 680 donation slots added to Asda’s back of store initiative over the coming weeks.
The grocer has been working with FareShare for ten and a half years, with the charity redistributing surplus food in retail operations to its network of over 8,500 charities and community groups.
Kris Comerford, chief commercial officer – food at Asda, commented: “Redistributing surplus food continues to be a priority for our business, and we are proud to be continuing the progress we’ve made to date.
“Through our continued work with FareShare, we will continue to prioritise local charities in ensuring they receive food donations first and foremost, while our new partnership with Olio will help us to prevent surplus food from going to waste. Increasing the number of donation opportunities and how we work with charity partners means we can provide even more support to local communities – while at the same time reducing food waste.”
Saasha Celestial One, Olio’s co-founder and chief operating officer, added: “We feel incredibly proud to be working with another retailer that’s making meaningful commitments to fighting food waste and feeding communities – especially at a time when so many in this country are struggling to feed themselves and their families.
“Since September, Olio volunteers have already rescued nearly 40,000 meals – we can’t wait to see the impact our partnership with FareShare and Asda can achieve in the coming months and years.”
Asda said a separate programme is to be trialled for its Express convenience sites.
Read more about retailers’ food waste reduction efforts on Green Retail World
[image credit: Green Retail World]
