Asda will redistribute all surplus stock from its supply chain to 910 UK charities under the terms of a new partnership with food charity FareShare, the retailer has announced.
The pioneering supply chain model will provide an additional 3.6 million meals each year across the UK and increase the quantity of chilled food sent to FareShare by 1,500 tonnes, a 41% increase in the total of all food currently redistributed by the charity, Asda said in a statement.
Asda said surplus stock occurs when a supplier sends a retailer too much of a product it’s ordered. As the product isn’t owned by the retailer they can’t sell it so have to send it back, but by the time it gets back to the supplier it’s often out of date and is destined for landfill.
“It’s hard to believe that in this day in age, nearly four million adults and children in the UK go to bed hungry each year. Food poverty is a very real problem and it’s getting worse, not better,” said Asda chief merchandising officer for food Barry Williams. “Through our new supply chain model and work with FareShare, I’m proud that we’re able to help feed millions of vulnerable people around the UK who would otherwise go hungry.”
FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell welcomed Asda’s move.
“Not only will this programme have immense environmental impact by diverting food away from the waste stream, it will also save hundreds of charities millions of pounds a year. They will be able to reinvest these savings into providing additional support services for their beneficiaries,” he said. “A breakfast club will be able to help vulnerable children learn to read and a day centre will be able to invest more in employment programmes, helping people get back on track.”
To help FareShare develop the infrastructure it needs to cope with the increase in volumes, Asda has also announced it will invest £100,000 to grow the capacity of FareShare depots and to invest in transportation, logistics and labour. The donation will be made through the Asda Foundation.
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