Booker symbol group retailers save over 300,000 meals from going to waste

Food and drink wholesaler Booker has confirmed that through its partnership with the anti-food waste organisation Too Good To Go, its symbol group retailers have saved over 300,000 meals from disposal.

In total, 525 Premier, Londis and Budgens stores around the UK are signed up to reduce food waste via the free-to-download app that allows shoppers to search for and purchase “Magic Bags” containing delicious surplus food items. The contents of each Too Good To Go Magic Bag differs from store-to-store and day-to-day, but guarantees to deliver three times’ worth of value.

Over the course of the past twelve months, this initiative has saved over 135,000 kg of food going to waste; the equivalent of 323,293 meals. This is a CO2 saving of 337 tonnes, which equates to 503 return flights from London to New York.

“I am proud of our symbol group retailers who have taken the opportunity to reduce their food waste through the sale of magic bags,” said Catherine Marston, Sustainability Manager at Booker. “In addition to being environmentally friendly, it helps families to reduce their outgoings – which has never been more important – and underpins our values to support communities and the planet.”

Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go, commented: “It’s been fantastic to see our partnership with Booker’s customers go from strength to strength as we hit this great milestone. Not only is reducing food waste one of the most important things we can do to fight climate change, but it’s also allows for people to try out delicious food in an affordable way – it’s a win-win-win.”