With 1000 plus stores across Australia, in urban, regional and remote locations, Woolworths Group has developed a significant array of partnerships to give every store the ability to donate surplus edible food, free of charge, to people in the local community who may be experiencing food insecurity.
Earlier this year, Woolworths Group donated its 50-millionth meal to one of its hunger relief partners, OzHarvest, which distributes surplus fresh food to more than 1,500 charities across the nation to help Australians in need of food relief.
“We also are FoodBank’s largest food donor and pro-bono freight provider, helping them reach more than 2,400 charities and have a longstanding partnership with FareShare, which operates Australia’s two largest charity kitchens,” explains Peter Bruce, head of waste to resource at Woolworths 360.
Food no longer suitable for human consumption is being donated to farmers to feed their stock. Last year, nearly 45,000 tonnes of food went to farmers. Woolworths also has partnered with Australian food waste innovator Goterra in its ACT stores, which accepts all surplus food as part of its black soldier fly larvae program that converts waste into protein and fertiliser.
“We know that 35 per cent of food waste occurs at home, so we also want to help customers reduce waste by selling suitable portion sizes and providing tips for produce storage and batch cooking to freeze, which also help families stick to a budget.
“Our customers also tell us that packaging waste is a concern for them, though packaging is a critical part of food safety and quality, protecting produce in transit, extending shelf life and reducing food waste. We’re exploring how to package food in innovative ways that maximise the life of a product while ensuring the packaging is also recyclable, reusable or compostable,” Bruce says.
“As the fresh food people, we want to ensure the food we help bring to communities across the country is enjoyed at its very best — and that surplus food is treated with the same focus to help reduce waste and emissions for a better tomorrow”.
For more information on how Woolworths Group is creating a better tomorrow please visit woolworthsgroup.com.au/sustainability