Lidl Netherlands has reduced its food waste by 31 percent less food and has announced the expansion of its 'Don't Waste Me' concept towards its goal of reducing its food waste by 50 percent in 2030 (compared to 2018).
In all 440 Lidl stores, the supermarket offers customers the new 'Don't Waste Me' fruit and vegetable bag to prevent food waste. The bag contains fresh fruit and vegetables that can no longer be sold but are suitable for consumption. The bag is available for €3 in the fruit and vegetable department and contains an average of about 4 kg of fruit and vegetables. Reducing food waste is one of the most critical points of attention to combat climate change. A third of the food produced worldwide is now wasted.
The "Don't Waste Me" fruit and vegetable bag is for sale in the Lidl branches.
Esmeé van Veen, sustainability manager at Lidl Netherlands, said that the supermarket chain had learned a lot recently about how it can save even more food.
"The successful collaboration with Too Good To Go has contributed to this, among other things. Because we put together the 'Do Not Waste Me' bags directly in the shops and optimised the processes, even more fruit and vegetables can be saved from waste."
She continued that customers can bring a healthy meal home with a sustainable bag for three euros, with the supermarket and its customers working together to prevent food waste in this way.
"It's a win-win. In addition, fruit and vegetable donations to the Netherlands Food Banks will continue as usual."
Too Good To Go Country Director in the Netherlands, Geertje Zeegers, said that Too Good To Go was on a mission to inspire everyone to reduce food waste.
"The fact that we have saved more than 1.9 million Fruit & Veggie Bags with Lidl Netherlands in 3 years is a result to be proud of. We are happy that Lidl continues to share our mission to reduce food waste," said Zeegers.
Food Banks Netherlands, Paul van Berkel, board member of food acquisition, said that Lidl had started donating to the food bank more than ten years ago, motivated to support its communities and reduce food waste.
Lidl promised to increase its donation to Food Banks Netherlands to 600,000 kg of fresh fruit and vegetables annually. With this, 1.3 million portions of fruit and vegetables can be prepared, and the pair jointly prevent waste.
The leftover bread from Lidl that is no longer suitable for human consumption is processed into animal feed for the Kipster chickens, among other things. The sustainable eggs from these chickens are on Lidl's shelves, closing the cycle. Together with other parties in the food chain, Lidl is continuously developing various initiatives that have resulted in 31 percent less food waste compared to 2018. Lidl aims to reduce its food waste by 50 percent by 2030.
