Dear Tesco,

Community Fridges and Food Banks are supporting some of the most vulnerable in our society.  Indeed the Trussell Trust alone (just one of a number of food bank providers) provided over 1.3 million food parcels to people in crisis between April-September 2022.  Our own independent food bank and community fridge supports over 750 visits each month.  These organisations, doing vital work, have been able to utilise the surplus food that you have, that you haven’t sold and would otherwise go in the bin, to support these vulnerable people.  Often this is fresh food like vegetables and fruit, food that is relatively expensive and highly nutritious, yet out of reach of those on low/no incomes.  We have helped you reduce your own wastage costs, given you good pr, and enabled you to meet the government targets of food surplus reduction alongside this.  Furthermore, we have been able to do this safely and efficiently, with the backing and support of the local and national environmental health agencies.  

Unfortunately, you introduced a new policy 2 weeks ago.  This is having a massive impact on us, as, according to emails received you will now no longer permit us to have:

- bagged salads

- pre-cut fruit and veg

- prepared salads, sandwiches, dips and deli items

- hot counter items

Because ‘they need to be distributed and eaten before midnight on the day of collection’.  Fair enough you think, but seeing as the time for groups to collect is between 8.30-9.30pm, there is plenty of time to distribute to those in need or those wanting to save food waste before midnight.  Furthermore, some of these foods can legally be cooked or bulk frozen, thus preserving the life and use.  But what is perhaps most shocking, is that you then are still advertising these items and giving them away via Olio.  Olio collectors are permitted to keep 10% of what they collect (though this is not in any way policed), and it is expected that they give away the remaining after they have had their pick. How is this any different to giving to food banks/community larders?  Arguably it is less safe as food banks and community fridges are registered food businesses with environmental health agencies.  Further, charities and organisations have always had preference over Olio collections from yourselves, due to the nature of the food destination in supporting the widest variety of people in need.  Clearly this new policy undermines this important safeguard.  Olio is designed to pick up if no charity or organisation is available in the area as a backstop to prevent waste, and they do a good job at that; we do not take issue with Olio in this regard. Community fridges and food banks have to, and pride themselves on, adhering to strict food hygiene rules and regs, and are creative in being able to save as much as possible by freezing, cooking and opening late at night.  We are regulated and organised.  

Please, Tesco, urgently rethink your new policy, revert to the original plan and go further to work with us to ensure as much as possible can be saved from the bin to reduce unnecessary waste and carbon emissions and used to help support those most vulnerable as well.   We would welcome a discussion to move this forward.