IRE | Over the last decade, Tesco Ireland's Surplus Food Donations Programme has successfully redistributed almost 20 million meals, equivalent to 7,900 tonnes of food, to individuals facing food insecurity throughout Ireland. Every week, Tesco Ireland donates up to 40,000 meals to over 350 charities nationwide.
A recent study commissioned by FoodCloud, a social enterprise dedicated to redistributing surplus food, revealed that families with children constitute the most prominent demographic benefiting from Tesco Ireland's Food Surplus Redistribution programme. The research conducted in July 2023 indicated that families with children make up nearly half (47 percent) of all those accessing food donations. Furthermore, 75 percent of community groups distributing surplus food reported increased demand for food over the past six months.
Throughout the ten-year partnership with FoodCloud and Olio and collaboration with over 350 local charitable and voluntary groups nationwide, Tesco has been able to redirect surplus food to those in need within Irish communities. This initiative has significantly contributed to reducing emissions associated with food waste processing.
In partnership with FoodCloud, Tesco Ireland embarked on this Surplus Food Donations Programme in 2013, making it the first retailer to establish a national partnership with FoodCloud. The programme, which initially started in one Tesco Express store in Dublin city, has expanded across Ireland and into the UK, Czechia, and Slovakia.
In celebration of the 10-year milestone, Tesco Ireland Communications Director Rosemary Garth shared her pride in the program's achievements. She emphasised Tesco's commitment to preventing good food from going to waste, ensuring it reaches communities with needy individuals. The initiative has provided almost 20 million meals and enabled charitable and voluntary sectors in Ireland to save over €23 million in food bills. According to FoodCloud, this financial relief has empowered these organisations to invest in providing increased support services nationwide.
Aoibheann O'Brien, Co-founder of FoodCloud, commended Tesco's dedication to eliminating edible food waste and positioning itself as a global leader in addressing this issue. The partnership has allowed both organisations to expand their impact, innovate, and push boundaries in food redistribution for a decade.
Tesco Ireland's commitment to sustainability has led to its appointment as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) champion for 2023-2024 by the Minister for the Environment, Climate, and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD.
Tesco Ireland focuses on addressing SDG2, which aims to combat hunger, and SDG12, which encourages more sustainable consumption and production patterns. The company has made notable progress in its climate action targets, investing in energy-efficient refrigeration, lighting, and heating systems across its 167 stores in Ireland.
