Marks & Spencer adds chilled items to surplus food scheme
Marks & Spencer is now including chilled food such as meat, dairy items, poultry and ready meals in its nationwide food redistribution scheme as part of its Plan A target of reducing food waste by 20% by 2020.
Launched in October 2015, the scheme has helped M&S donate 1.25 million meals to 595 food charities across the UK and Northern Ireland. The retailer works with Neighbourly, the social network for social good, to connect local charities with their local M&S store.
During the last month, 130 M&S stores have begun redistributing surplus chilled food to their local charities. If successful, the scheme will be rolled out to further stores.
The chilled launch follows a pilot in 70 M&S stores at Christmas.
Louise Nicholls, head of responsible sourcing, packaging & Plan A at M&S, said: “Addressing food waste is a key area of focus for M&S and we have been working hard to reduce food waste whilst ensuring that, where there is food surplus, we put it to the best possible use. By extending our food surplus scheme to include chilled food we’ll be able to go even further in helping charities support those in need with safe and nutritious food.”
