Food waste

We want food to be enjoyed till the last bite. So we join forces along the supply chain against wasting food.

We know that gastronomers want their customers to indulge in their culinary delights till the last bite. In the same way we want our customers to value food as much as we do. Seeing food wasted in the process is a waste of time, effort, money and other valuable resources along the whole supply chain back to the origin of food. That’s why METRO joins forces against wasting food along the supply chain. We want our customers to benefit from solutions that save resources and costs and do good at the same time.

We are aware that one third of the world’s food is either wasted or lost - an amount that would be enough to meet global food needs and is additionally causing enormous amounts of CO2 emissions. Together with our partners along the value chain from industry, politics, civil society, and our customers we aim to drive innovations, promote dialogue, and kick off debates to generate solutions. This "from farm to fork" approach is shared by many of our partners in this challenge. Together we have an impact on lowering the world’s carbon footprint from food waste which accounts for 10% of the global greenhouse gas emissions and besides food, also prevent agricultural and labour resources, land, energy, and water from going to waste. Apart from social and environmental aspects, we also see preventing food waste as an opportunity we can benefit of economically by making our trading process smarter, more efficient and by enabling our customers to run their business more responsible as well.

1. Data Optimisation

We set ambitious targets and objectives publicly.

We monitor, manage and report on targets using credible standards such as the FLW protocol. We continuously focus on improving data availability and quality so that we can identify ever more targeted areas for optimisation.

We have established programmes to measure food loss and waste – specifically, we have incorporated food waste data into our database. We are following the break-down of food loss & waste volumes by food category and/or lifecycle stage as per the Food Loss and Waste Protocol (FLWP) requirements in our operations and at the same time engaging with a number of stakeholders internally – from Operating Partners to Country Corporate Responsibility representatives to Technical Operations Managers at site level – to raise their FLWP reporting capabilities and ensure sound food loss and waste data quality.

2. Solutions

We explore and utilize the latest technology solutions to help us achieve our food waste targets and objectives. We continuously assess fit of these solutions for our business and adjust, as and when necessary. Furthermore, we scan for solutions that enable our customers to tackle food waste in their own operations, preventing food loss and waste in the HoReCa sector as well.

• Too Good to Go
• FreshFLow
• Wasteless
• Wholesurplus

Too Good To Go

In 3 countries, we are working with Too Good To Go (TGTG). The company provides a platform to sell surplus food that otherwise goes to waste in a specially branded bag (the Magic Bag) at reduced prices. It operates an app that allows food waste fighting end-consumers to buy unsold food from participating METRO stores.

In financial year 2022/23, the dedicated collaboration has ‘saved’ more than 82,469 meals, which corresponds to a reduction of 206 tonnes of CO₂.

The TGTG partnership also includes a customer referral model. METRO sales force teams are able to propose the digital solution to HoReCa and trader customers to use in their operations. By promoting TGTG we want to connect our customers with the food waste fighter community to reduce food waste together and increase their reputation and community impact. We are promoting the TGTG platform in 2 countries.

FreshFLow

Freshflow enables grocers to order the perfect amount of fresh produce every day - enough to meet customer demand, but not too much so that there is less waste. Freshflow uses novel artificial intelligence (AI) to build the grocery supply chain of the future and reduce food waste worldwide.

Wasteless

Wasteless provides an all-in-one solution to reduce food waste and increase perishable food profit by dynamically pricing items with a shorter expiration date at their optimal price point.

Wholesurplus

Since January 2018, METRO partners with Wholesurplus in Turkey, to tackle the challenge of food waste reduction in own operations there. Wholesurplus offers a holistic business solution which includes a digital platform to manage food waste inventory in accordance to the food waste hierarchy based on real time data analytics as well as a unique marketplace for redistribution and donation. The starting situation in Turkey called for urgent action because up to 80% of food that cannot be sold ended up in landfill, which means it is lost to feed people. By using the digital marketplace our stores can easily give edible food to food banks, social institutions, animal shelters, or even to the animal feed production industry. In addition, the data analysis function lets them quantify and monitor food waste transparently in real time enabling them to implement targeted measures to further improve their operational processes.

3. Engagement & Partnerships

We support and encourage our customers and partners to use solutions that save resources and costs and do good in society at the same time.

We tackle the challenge from farm to fork, working with our suppliers and beyond, in our industry, while monitoring and sharing best practice.

We actively seek, foster and promote dialogue & partnerships across the entire wholesale value chain to influence on matters exceeding company borders. We have set a measurable, time-bound, group-wide, and public target to reduce food waste in our own operations by 50% by 2025. We have committed to achieving this in a resolution of the Consumer Goods Forum in 2016 and continue to engage with multiple stakeholders internally and externally to achieve this target.

• CGF / WRI 10x20x30
• Futury
• Supplier collaboration
• Food Banks

World Ressource Institute

In September 2019 METRO joined the 10x20x30 initiative of the World Resource Institute. Within this initiative at least 10 of the world’s largest food retailers and providers follow the “Target-Measure-Act” approach, meaning that each engages 20 of their priority suppliers to do the same – thereby halving their food loss and waste by 2030.Together with participating businesses we share the mission to massively increase private sector contribution to the global goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50% by 2030 by catalyzing efforts “up” the supply chain.

Futury

Futury creates a dynamic platform that connects entrepreneurs, talents and industry players, fueling sustainable innovation and drive transformative growth. Through curated networks, accelerator programs and opportunities, Futury enables startups, talent and organizations to collaborate, ideate and bring breakthrough ideas to life, ultimately propelling sustainable impact and relevance. The goal is to foster innovative and entrepreneurial solutions that have a long-lasting positive impact on people, planet and profit.

Food Bank

METRO has collaborated with the ‘Tafel’ (food bank) movement for more than 2 decades to provide people in need with food that is still of impeccable quality despite an approaching best-before date.

We are also steadily expanding the collaboration on an international scale and partner with the European Federation of Food Banks (Fédération Européenne des Banques Alimentaires, FEBA).

In 19 countries and service units, we work with food bank organisations. In FY 2022/23 METRO Food Donations amount to 63,342,362 €.