Recipe box Gousto has launched a scheme with courier service DPD in a bid to combat food waste within the supply chain.
For the first in the meal kit category, the scheme will see DPD drivers facilitate the rerouting of any failed box deliveries to the surplus food redistribution charity, FareShare.
The undelivered food is then donated to charities and community groups who provide meals and support to vulnerable people all across the UK.
Launching initially as a trial at DPD sites, the scheme will support Gousto’s commitment that no usable waste ends up in landfill or incineration.
READ MORE: Gousto meals cut supermarket CO2 by 23%, study reveals
The move follows Gousto’s expansion of its fulfilment network, resulting in the opening two new fulfilment centres by the end of next year to help deliver more boxes to homes across the UK, as demand for its meals continues to increase.
“Food waste is a huge issue within the traditional grocery supply chain. We’re proud to operate with less than one per cent surplus food but there’s always more to be done,” Gousto chief product officer Sally Matthews said.
“By partnering with suppliers like DPD who share our ambitions to create a more sustainable supply chain, and with the help of amazing charities like FareShare, we can make a real difference.
“There are no excuses for inaction and we hope others in the industry will set up similar operations.”
Gousto began its partnership with Fareshare in December 2020 to redistribute usable surplus food from Gousto’s fulfilment centres to people in need.
So far, the meal kit company has donated 78.7 tonnes of surplus food, which FareShare have successfully redistributed to 1629 charities across the UK.
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