Tesco is Giving Away its Unsold Food to Thousands of Charities and Community Groups across the UK

Tesco announced on Friday that they will donate the store's unsold food to 5,000 local charities and groups across the United Kingdom. In fact, the company is trying to influence other firms to adopt the same practice in an effort to help those in need while reducing the world's rate of food waste.

The said move is the supermarket giant's answer to food waste by its suppliers. According to the company's latest figures, 55,400 tons of foods were just thrown away at their stores and distribution centers across the country last year, as reported by Daily Echo. The program is called the Community Food Connection. It has generated over 22 tons of food over the last six months, which can serve 50,000 meals.

The program is operating through FareShare FoodCloud, a digital open platform that allows the store to cooperate with the charities in distributing surplus food. It has launched in 15 cities and regions this week, including Birmingham, Manchester, Portsmouth and Southampton. It plans to cover all their stores next year.

Tesco and FareShare are calling up 5,000 community groups and charity to come and receive the food. The supermarket is also called on other retailers to adopt FareShare FoodCloud and establish an industry-wide platform.

"We believe no food that could be eaten should be wasted. That's why we have committed that no surplus food should go to waste from our stores," said Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis, Independent reported. "We know it's an issue our customers really care about, and wherever there's surplus food at Tesco stores, we're committed to donating it to local charities so we can help feed people in need."

FareShare chief executive Lindsay Boswell stated that they are delighted to offer their store level solution in collaboration with Tesco who are showing a real leadership in tackling food surplus. "FareShare FoodCloud is a natural extension of our work together which has already provided nine million meals to help feed vulnerable people," she added.