Supermarket Tesco has announced nearly 30,000 tonnes of food was wasted in the first six months of the year across operations and supply chain in the UK.
Bagged salad is just one of the 25 bestselling grocery products that Tesco has tracked from farm to fork to gain an understanding of where food waste occurs. This is part of Tesco’s commitment to lead in tackling food waste and to work with suppliers and customers to address this.
Matt Simister, Tesco commercial director of group food, said: “We’ve all got a responsibility to tackle food waste and there is no quick-fix single solution. Little changes can make a big difference, like storing fruit and veg in the right way.
“We’re playing our part too and making changes to our processes and in store. We’re working with our suppliers to try to cut waste at all stages of the journey from farm to fork.”
WASTED:
68% bagged salad
40% apples
24% grapes
20% bananas
47% bakery
Anna Simpson, NFU environment policy advisor, said: “Food waste has a negative environmental and financial impact on all aspects of the supply chain. With pressure on farm incomes and their relatively weak position in the supply chain, farm businesses aim to make the best use of their resources. It is vital that the retail sector do the same.
“The NFU encourages the removal of wasteful in-store promotions on fresh produce and encourages the retailer to consider alternative approaches including smaller portion options, lower retail standards to include ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables and education of consumers through schemes such as Love Food Hate Waste campaign.”
Phillip Clarke, Tesco chief executive said: “We are the world’s third largest retailer, so clearly we have a responsibility to minimise the food wasted in our stores. However, we sit at the heart of the value chain and this gives us a crucial vantage point and a shared responsibility to act far beyond the doors of our stores.”
Figures taken from Tesco report: 'Using our scale for good - 2013/14 half year update'