The concept aims to make sure food does not go to waste
Lidl’s Driffield store is one of several in Yorkshire and the North East to pilot a food redistribution scheme.(Image: Google Streetview)
Driffield’s Lidl store is one of several across Yorkshire and the North East to trail a new food redistribution scheme. The supermarket says it has expanded its work with charity platform Neighbourly to trial food-sharing app Olio – which gives people the chance to receive free surplus food.
The scheme connects Olio’s Food Waste Hero network with the discount retailer and its other charity partners. Using the free app, volunteers collect unsold food in the evenings – including chilled items such as meat and fish as well as bakery goods.
The food can then be shared with people in the town, for free. Driffield is one of 20 stores in London and Northern England to trail the scheme, which if successful could be rolled out nationally – helping to redistribute and estimated 5,000 tonnes of food, equivalent to 11.9 million meals.
It is part of Lidl’s efforts to reduce food waste by 70% by the end of its 2030 financial year. Residents of Driffield can sign up to become a Food Waste Hero on the Olio app.
Matt Juden, head of sustainability at Lidl GB, said: “At Lidl GB, we believe that no good food should ever go to waste. While we have already made massive strides in reducing our surplus, this extension of our Neighbourly-managed programme allows us to have even more impact. It ensures that we are reaching every corner of the communities we serve, making sure edible food stays on plates and out of the bin.”
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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.”
Saasha Celestial-One, co-founder and COO of Olio, added: “”We’re delighted to be joining forces with Neighbourly and Lidl. We’re looking forward to working together to maximise the amount of edible surplus that can reach local communities from Lidl stores, and making sure as little food as possible goes to waste. We’re excited to see the impact of the trial, and we know our volunteers will be thrilled to have the chance to rescue Lidl food via our app.”
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