LIDL has launched a new trial initiative offering shoppers the chance to pick up discounted fruit and vegetables that may be past their best, but are still good to eat.
Lidl is trialling new ‘Too Good To Waste’ boxes at 122 sites in England and the discounter has said if it is successful it could be extended to all UK stores.
The boxes contain around 5kg of mixed fruit and veg for a flat rate of £1.50. Lidl estimates that if rolled out nationwide, the scheme could lead to a saving of around 10,000 tonnes of surplus produce each year.
Christian Härtnagel, chief executive of Lidl UK, said: “We know from our data that fresh produce is one of the biggest contributors to food waste in stores, so we’re excited by the difference our ‘Too Good to Waste’ initiative will make.
“Not only will it help customers consider items that they might have previously dismissed, it will also provide an opportunity for them to make further savings.”
The Too Good Too Waste trial forms part of a larger sustainability drive from Lidl. Last year, the discounter committed to cut food waste by 25% per store by 2020 and has a further commitment to cut by 50% by 2030.
