Lidl and social impact platform Neighbourly have expanded their partnership with food-sharing app Olio from 20 to around 200 stores. 

The partnership allows shoppers to collect surplus food from the grocer’s stores for free at the end of the day via the Olio app.

The scheme works by recruiting additional volunteers, known as food waste heroes, who can step in when charities aren’t able to make an evening collection. 

Fresh items like chilled meat, fish, poultry, and the discounter’s bakery treats which can’t be held overnight can now be collected by Olio volunteers, ensuring they go straight to local people.

The supermarket has plans to roll the initiative out nationwide by the end of the year.

Once live nationally, the initiative is expected to redistribute 5,000 tonnes of surplus food each year.

The rollout builds on a trial of evening collections in 20 stores, which has already prevented around 1,200kg of food waste per week.

The move scales up Lidl’s existing efforts with Neighbourly by integrating Olio’s network of food waste heroes into its surplus food network, combining the strengths of the two players in food redistribution for the first time. 

Lidl GB director of corporate affairs Georgina Hall said: “Real change requires a community effort, and we are incredibly grateful to our store teams, charity partners and the dedicated food waste heroes who are rescuing good quality food for those who need it most. 

“With our sights set on a nationwide rollout by the end of this year, this expanding partnership will soon empower communities to rescue up to nearly 12 million meals every single year. 

“This collaboration will make a huge impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities everywhere.”

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