Lidl has confirmed that 196 of its UK stores will now participate in a new initiative to reduce food waste, expanding a successful trial that began in May. The partnership with food-sharing app Olio and charity partner Neighbourly will see volunteer 'Food Waste Heroes' collect surplus food from stores in the evenings, including chilled items, meat, fish, poultry, and bakery goods, and distribute them free to local families and community groups.
How the scheme works
The initiative launched in 20 stores and prevented around 1,200kg of food waste per week during the trial. Lidl says the nationwide rollout is expected to redistribute 5,000 tonnes of surplus food each year, the equivalent of about 11.9 million meals.
Olio’s Food Waste Heroes are volunteers who collect surplus food from businesses like supermarkets before they close. This adds an extra layer to Lidl's existing charity partnerships, ensuring edible food is not wasted when charities cannot collect it.
Supporting communities
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: "Our mission has always been to ensure as much edible surplus food as possible goes to those in our communities that need it most. By expanding the programme to evening collections and including Olio’s Food Waste Heroes, we are providing Lidl with a robust additional redistribution layer. This isn’t about diverting food away from charities, it’s about opening up new streams of chilled and fresh produce for them, while ensuring nothing goes to waste if a charity can’t make it."
Participating stores
The full list of Lidl stores taking part includes locations across England, such as in London, the Midlands, the North East, and the North West. Selected stores include Lidl Hayes Uxbridge Rd, Lidl Northampton Towcester Rd, Lidl Greenford, Lidl Walthamstow, Lidl Dunstable, Lidl Welwyn Garden City, Lidl Coventry Foleshill, Lidl London Harrow, Lidl Buckingham London Rd, Lidl Northampton Weedon Rd, and many more across the country.
