Tesco has launched a pop-up “reverse supermarket” in London to enable customers to help those suffering in the cost of living crisis.
The Give Back Express, in Poland Street, was open over the weekend and saw visitors invited to buy and donate the 25 most needed items as identified by Tesco and its charity partners FareShare and the Trussell Trust.
Passers-by could also scan a QR code located outside the store to make a monetary donation through their Clubcard vouchers, or online via https://secure.tesco.com/clubcard/donate-to-charity.
The move comes with FareShare and the Trussell Trust reporting they expect to provide food support to more than 1.2 million people this winter.
FareShare forecasts it will redistribute more than 13,000 tonnes of food to people this winter, while the Trussell Trust reported that 320,000 people used a food bank for the first time between April to September this year, with the need continuing to rise.
Tesco is also encouraging customers to get involved in its annual Food Collection – launching in Express stores from Monday 28 November to Saturday 3 December, and in all Tesco stores nationwide from 1 December to 3 December.
“This winter will be increasingly challenging for many people facing food uncertainty, and food banks and frontline charities need our help more than ever before,” said Tesco CEO Ken Murphy.
“We have been working with FareShare and the Trussell Trust for 10 years and during this time, our generous customers have helped donate over 100 million meals to communities across the UK, with Tesco topping up donations by 20%.
“Whether it’s at the Give Back Express; in your local store through our annual Food Collection; or via your Clubcard points online, even the smallest donation can make a real difference and help to spread a little more Christmas joy this year.”
Lindsay Boswell, FareShare CEO added: “The cost of living crisis is driving millions of people into food insecurity. At a time when food prices and energy bills are rising, the demand for food from FareShare has skyrocketed, with 75% of our charities telling us they need access to more food.
“What we are also hearing from the charities we support is that this situation will only worsen, and they are worried they may not be able to meet the extra demand this winter.
“As we prepare for a challenging winter, the Give Back Express will help us to raise awareness around the work we are doing across the UK to provide food to people facing economic hardship and enable us to show shoppers how they can support us with vital donations via our partner Tesco.”
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