As part of an initiative to reduce food waste, Lidl will offer significant price reductions on fresh meat, poultry, prepared salads, milk and cheeses as they reach their best before date.

‘Waste Not’ will reduce food prices by up to 90% on items fine to eat but which go unsold as they reach their best before date.

Fresh meat, poultry, and fish products priced between €1.29 and €3.49 will reduce to €0.90. Those priced between €3.50 and €8.99 will reduce to €2.00 on their best before date.

Fresh chilled products, such as prepared salads, cheeses and cold cooked meats priced between €0.29 and €1.49 will reduce to €0.20. Those priced between €1.50 and €8.99 will reduce to €0.90.

Lidl hopes the initiative will reduce food waste by 723,000kg annually. Reduced products will be located in a designated area across 200 Lidl stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Waste

Speaking at the initiative’s launch, Minister for Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton said: “Enterprise has a crucial role to play in our drive to manage our resources better and eliminate unnecessary waste. One tonne of food wasted results in six tonnes of carbon lost to the world.

“This initiative, launched by Lidl, will be welcomed by consumers, who are looking to retailers to employ more sustainable practices.

“Working individually and collaboratively, the entire retail industry has a powerful role to play in tackling this issue and it is welcome to see Lidl taking this positive step.”

Sustainability

Deirdre Ryan, head of corporate social responsibility at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “Consumers are increasingly conscious of the products they buy. They consider sustainability and waste before they make a purchasing decision.

“As one of the country’s largest food retailers, we’re constantly looking for ways to help consumers make sustainable purchases, without compromising on quality and value.”

Ryan said ‘Waste Not’ would empower consumers to make green choices and reduce Lidl’s contribution to Ireland’s food waste stream.