Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the extension of its nationwide food redistribution scheme, which forms part of its Plan A target of reducing food waste by 20% by 2020.
This extension is set to include chilled food such as meat, dairy items, poultry and ready meals. M&S originally launched the scheme in October 2015.
Through the expansion, M&S stores will contribute to local food charities and community groups by donating surplus chilled foods to local soup kitchens for the homeless and community cafés, and supporting local families with meals.
M&S works in partnership with Neighbourly, the social network for social good, to connect local charities with their local M&S store.
The site has allowed M&S to ‘remove some of the main logistical barriers to redistributing chilled food, including ensuring that all those charities registered have refrigeration to transport and store chilled food, as well as having the correct food hygiene credentials in place’.
Addressing Food Waste
Commenting on the new chilled food donations, Louise Nicholls, Head of Responsible Sourcing, Packaging & Plan A at M&S said, “Addressing food waste is a key area of focus for M&S and we have been working hard to reduce food waste whilst ensuring that, where there is food surplus, we put it to the best possible use.
“Over the last year our partnership with Neighbourly has allowed us to connect our stores to local food projects and help support our local communities. By extending our food surplus scheme to include chilled food we’ll be able to go even further in helping charities support those in need with safe and nutritious food.”
Nick Davies, Founder of Neighbourly, added, “For 10 years now the Plan A initiative has guided behind-the scenes efforts to tackle climate change, source sustainably and reduce waste whilst never compromising safety or the customer experience. Their request for help with chilled food is just the latest step in an ambitious journey and Neighbourly is delighted to assist.”
M&S were also recently awarded the title ‘Supermarket of the Year’ by British retail expert Which?
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
