Monday 21 September 2020

Customers to collect free Tesco food after the launch of surplus food scheme

Tesco has launched a food re-distribution scheme that will allow customers to collect for free food products.

That is a result of a new partnership of the retailer with social enterprise OLIO which aims to cut food waste.

The initiative will enable consumers to see through an application food items nearing their expiry date available to be collected in their area for free, via non-contact pick-up.

The scheme works with the help of OLIO’s local volunteers who visit Tesco stores to collect surplus food nearing its sell-by date.

The food items are then uploaded onto the OLIO app, ready to be re-distributed free to those living nearby as well as to community groups.

OLIO app users can then pick items up, from an agreed, contact-free collection point.

Partners have trialled the scheme, which run from December until the end of February, resulting in 36 tonnes of food redistributed.

Tesco Head of Communities, Claire De Silva said: "The results of our initial trial were very positive and have allowed us to further roll out the partnership in our commitment to make sure no good food goes to waste."

OLIO Co-Founder, Tessa Clarke said: "Our partnership with Tesco means that more people than ever before will be able to benefit from access to surplus food."