M&S has become the first retailer to trial Neighbourly’s new surplus food initiative that sees consumers collect food for their own use.
The Surplus Saviours scheme allows individuals to collect donations of unsold food from the platform’s network of supermarkets, stores and cafes for the first time, The Grocer reported.
The initiative will enable shoppers to collect free surplus food from stores where smaller quantities or collection times are best suited to individuals.
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The scheme is an expansion of the company’s current charitable programme, where it works with retail partners including M&S, Sainsbury’s Lidl and Aldi, to distribute surplus food to charities and community causes.
Neighbourly CEO Steve Butterworth said: “These are two vital and timely initiatives in our mission to make it easier for businesses to make environmental strides when it comes to surplus redistribution, and for communities to have access to valuable resources rather than have them go to waste.
“The most requested items from our network are food and fresh produce, with 50% of local good causes saying there are people they simply can’t help due to limitations in capacity and funding. Unlocking ways to make our economy more circular is paramount.”
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