N※N

Aldi Partners with Olio to Tackle Food Waste

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. ldi-partners-with-olio-to-tackle-food-waste.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, February 5th 2026 at 5:55 GMT by Birmingham Mail
      Locales: England, UNITED KINGDOM

Thursday, February 5th, 2026 - Aldi, the UK's fifth-largest supermarket, today announced an expansion of its commitment to tackling food waste with a new partnership with community app Olio. This collaboration marks a significant step in the retailer's ongoing efforts and reflects a growing trend within the grocery industry to address the escalating issue of edible food ending up in landfills.

The initiative will see Aldi sharing surplus food nearing its sell-by date with local communities through the Olio app. Olio functions as a hyper-local sharing platform, connecting neighbors and businesses to redistribute unwanted but perfectly good food, clothing, and household items. This directly addresses a critical problem: while supermarkets have made strides in reducing waste within their operations, a considerable amount of still-edible food remains unsold and is often disposed of.

Aldi's move builds upon existing relationships with established food waste charities FareShare and Neighbourly, demonstrating a layered approach to minimizing its environmental impact. While FareShare focuses on providing food to larger charities and homeless shelters, and Neighbourly supports local community groups, Olio offers a more granular, neighbour-to-neighbour distribution network, potentially reaching individuals and families who may not typically access traditional charitable support.

The scale of food waste in the UK remains alarming. Statistics from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) estimate that around 9.5 million tonnes of edible food is wasted annually in the UK, with households responsible for the largest proportion. Supermarkets contribute significantly, though they have been increasingly proactive in recent years. Aldi's stated goal of reducing food waste by 20% across its operations by 2025 - a target they are currently on track to meet, according to internal reports - highlights their dedication to sustainability.

Currently, Aldi distributes food to over 3,500 charities and food banks, a considerable operation in itself. However, the partnership with Olio represents a diversification of their strategy, enabling them to reach a wider segment of the population and tackle waste at a more localized level. The app's user-friendly interface allows store staff to quickly and easily list surplus items, which are then available for nearby Olio users to claim.

"We're committed to reducing food waste and this partnership with Olio will help us to do just that," stated Julie Ashdown, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi. "We know that many people are struggling financially at the moment, and we're proud to be able to offer a way for communities to access good quality food for free." This acknowledgement of the cost-of-living crisis adds a critical social dimension to the initiative; access to affordable food is a growing concern for many UK households.

Susannah Rabell, Founder of Olio, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We're thrilled to be partnering with Aldi to redistribute surplus food and prevent it from going to waste. This is a fantastic step towards creating a more sustainable food system, and we're excited to see the positive impact it will have on communities across the UK."

A Wider Trend: Retailers Embracing Circular Economy Principles

Aldi's initiative isn't occurring in isolation. Across the retail sector, there's a growing adoption of circular economy principles, recognizing that waste isn't just an environmental problem but also a missed economic opportunity. Other major supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury's, are exploring similar app-based partnerships and expanding their own food donation programs. The rise of 'wonky veg' boxes and relaxed sell-by-date policies also demonstrates a shift in consumer and retailer attitudes.

Experts predict that by 2030, we'll see a more integrated approach to food waste reduction, potentially incorporating blockchain technology to track food from farm to consumer, optimizing supply chains, and reducing losses at every stage. AI-powered forecasting tools are also being deployed to help supermarkets better predict demand and minimize overstocking.

The Olio partnership also has the potential to foster stronger community bonds. By facilitating direct exchange between businesses and residents, it encourages a sense of shared responsibility and promotes local collaboration. This community-building aspect is increasingly valued by consumers, who are looking for businesses that demonstrate social and environmental consciousness.

Ultimately, Aldi's expansion into app-based food sharing is a positive development, demonstrating a proactive approach to a complex issue. It signals a broader industry shift towards prioritizing sustainability, reducing waste, and supporting communities. The success of this initiative will likely encourage other retailers to adopt similar strategies, accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable and equitable food system.