Peach of an idea to cut food waste

The Co-operative Group is to become the first retailer in the UK to include storage instructions for fruit and vegetables on its fresh produce bags*, to help tackle the growing problem of household food waste.

The storage instructions (see below) relate to a selection of loose fruit and veg that The Co-operative stocks and indicate the optimum conditions under which each of the products should be kept to maintain freshness.As the instructions are printed on the bags themselves, customers have the information to take home with them.

The initiative is part of the retailer’s support for the Government-funded “Love Food Hate Waste” campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste, as well as providing practical tips and solutions to help consumers waste less food. 

According to the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), UK households throw away a staggering 6.7 million tonnes of food every year - 70% of which could have been eaten.  This works out at a cost of £617 per household, and creates the same amount of CO2 as one fifth of cars on UK roads.

Richard Swannell, Director of Retail, WRAP, commented: “We welcome this latest initiative from The Co-operative, which makes it easier for their customers to know how to best store fresh fruit and vegetables.  For example apples kept in the fridge can keep for an extra two weeks.  This is the latest example of how The Co-operative is supporting the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, helping customers to save money by throwing away less food."

The Co-operative is also supporting The Love Food Hate Waste campaign by switching the emphasis of its promotional offers – particularly on perishable goods, such as fruit and veg – from BOGOFs (Buy One Get One Free) to half-price offers. 
     
By doing so, the community-based retailer hopes to further reduce food waste in the home by helping customers buy what they actually need, rather than doubling up on items they don’t necessarily want simply to take advantage of the promotional deal.  

Debbie Robinson, Director of Food Marketing at The Co-operative Group, said: “Household food waste is a growing problem and, as the UK’s largest convenience store retailer, we are determined to do all we can to help our customers tackle this issue, as well as helping them to spend wisely in these difficult times.”           

Later in the year, The Co-operative’s membership teams will also be running a series of “Watch your Waste” events throughout the UK, featuring cookery demonstrations and tips on how to reduce waste.  Chefs will be cooking up a selection of delicious recipes using food items that are commonly thrown away, including dishes such as vegetable curry, Moroccan chickpea soup and a baked banana passion.

* The produce bags including the storage instructions will go into 150 Co-operative stores nationwide from 22 June, and will be rolled out to all Co-operative stores stocking fresh produce by the end of 2009.  For further information, customers can contact The Co-operative Customer Careline free on 0800 0686 727.

Fruit and veg storage instructions