Tesco, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, is under fire from charities for implementing new rules that restrict the collection of unwanted food to evening hours, according to a report by The Guardian. Charities have expressed dismay, claiming that these changes hinder their ability to distribute surplus food to those in need, particularly homeless and hungry individuals.
A group of seven local charities, including Food for Charities in Oxford and the Abingdon Community Fridge, has penned a letter to Tesco, voicing concerns that surplus food is no longer reaching vulnerable populations due to the new evening-only collection policy. The charities argue that the evening pickup times pose logistical challenges, as most organizations lack volunteers and suitable recipients for perishable items like meat and sandwiches in the evenings when their operations are closed .
Furthermore, some charities reported that Tesco’s alteration of the collection time slot system has led to increased competition for available slots, with users of the Olio food waste app vying for the same opportunities to collect surplus food .
In response to these criticisms, Tesco defended its stance, stating that the shift to evening collections was aimed at facilitating the donation of chilled foods alongside longer-lasting items like baked goods and produce. This change was purportedly necessary because chilled items have a shorter “use by” date and could pose safety risks if collected in the morning .
Riki Therivel, director of Food for Charities, highlighted the financial strain caused by these modifications, noting that her organization now spends approximately £50 per week on purchasing food due to reduced donations from Tesco .
Charities such as Lifeafterhummus have expressed frustration over the lack of consultation regarding these operational changes, criticizing Tesco for prioritizing profits over the needs of vulnerable individuals .
In its defense, Tesco emphasized its ongoing commitment to minimizing food waste by donating millions of unsold meals to local charities and community groups each month. The supermarket giant reiterated that it prioritizes local charities through partnerships with FareShare and facilitates the redistribution of surplus food via platforms like Olio to prevent waste .
This controversy with charities comes on the heels of Tesco’s revelation that significant quantities of unwanted food intended for animal feed had instead been used for energy generation, negatively impacting the company’s efforts to reduce food waste .
The situation underscores the complex challenges faced by supermarkets and charities in managing surplus food effectively while ensuring that it benefits those in need, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to address these issues.
