M&S Expands Project To Convert Surplus Baguettes To Garlic Bread

UK retailer Marks & Spencer has announced that it is extending its initiative to turn unsold fresh bakery loaves into frozen garlic bread to 200 stores as part of its 2030 goal to halve food waste.

The decision to expand the initiative to more stores follows a successful pilot project in eight outlets.

'Second Most Wasted Food Item'

Head of business collaboration at WRAP, David Moon, said, “Bread is the second most wasted food item in the home, with around one million loaves thrown away every day. As a short shelf-life item, bread can also become a surplus at the end of trading.

“This initiative from M&S is a simple solution to a real problem that turns a surplus item into a brand-new product to be enjoyed anew, and stops food being wasted.”

At the end of each day, unsold baguettes and boules at M&S stores are filled with garlic butter and frozen.

The process extends the shelf life of the item by 30 days, the retailer added.

The garlic baguette is priced at £1 per piece and £1.80 for a twin pack, while the boule costs £2.

'Freshness And Quality'

Paul Willgoss, M&S food director of technology, commented, “Our customers love the freshness and quality of our in-store bakery products, but their short shelf-life means it can be a challenging area for waste.

“By turning leftover loaves into frozen garlic bread, we’re not only creating delicious new products for family mealtimes, but we’re also helping to Spark Change together with our customers to significantly reduce waste.”

The retailer is also encouraging customers to recycle more by offering the garlic bread in a 100% widely recycled packaging.

More than 580 M&S stores support around 1,500 community causes across the UK through its food redistribution scheme in partnership with Neighbourly.

Since 2015, the retailer has donated the equivalent of over 16 million meals to support local causes, the retailer added.