Lidl has named the close to 200 stores where a major new change is being implemented as part of a new partnership. After a successful trial in around 20 stores nationwide, the German retailer has said that 196 of its stores will now feature the new initiative, which helps to reduce food waste at the budget supermarket. Lidl and its partner Neighbourly have broadened their collaboration with the food-sharing app Olio.
The partnership will see the implementation of Olio’s network of Food Waste Heroes, who are Olio members who can collect surplus food from local businesses (such as supermarkets) before they close. The new model introduces Olio’s Food Waste Hero network as an extra layer to support Lidl’s primary charity partners. These customers collect items in the evenings, including chilled food, meat, fish, poultry, and Lidl bakery goods, and share them with neighbours nearby, totally for free. The initiative launched in May in 20 Lidl stores in the UK, with close to 200 more now taking part.
Olio’s volunteer ‘Food Waste Heroes’ intervene to collect surplus when charities are unable to do so. The food is then distributed directly to local families, shelters, and community organisations.
The initial trial of 20 stores prevented around 1,200kg of food waste per week. A nationwide rollout is expected to redistribute 5,000 tonnes of surplus food each year, which is the equivalent of around 11.9 million meals, says Lidl.
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: “Our mission has always been to ensure as much edible surplus food as possible goes to those in our communities that need it most. By expanding the programme to evening collections and including Olio’s Food Waste Heroes, we are providing Lidl with a robust additional redistribution layer. This isn’t about diverting food away from charities, it’s about opening up new streams of chilled and fresh produce for them, while ensuring nothing goes to waste if a charity can’t make it.”
The Lidl stores taking part are: