Sustain member Feedback, which campaigns against food waste in all its forms, is celebrating a major victory after the UK's biggest grocer agreed to halve food waste along its key supply chains, make its food waste data public, and extend food waste reporting to other countries where it operates.
Tesco will be working with its top 24 suppliers to halve food waste, and will also report more transparently on waste in its supply chains. The moves may sound technical -- but they represent a big step forward in the struggle to persuade food retailers to use their muscle to cut waste not just in their stores, but among their suppliers.
Feedback's research has shown that retailers can force suppliers to waste food through stringent cosmetic specifications or unfair rejections of food. Not only is this waste unjustifiable, but it pushes the cost of waste up the supply chain, where it falls on farmers and suppliers.
Feedback’s Executive Director Carina Millstone said: 'Feedback has been calling on supermarkets to take responsibility for the colossal amount of food waste in their supply chains for many years. We are delighted that Tesco has finally pledged to address this hidden scandal and look forward to seeing commitment translated into swift action and demonstrable results. We call on all supermarkets to follow suit and reduce supply chain food waste immediately.’ Read more here.
The Sustain alliance campaigns for greener, fairer and healthier food systems for everyone. Find out more about our activities and join us here.
Published Friday 22 September 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
