SPAR and Too Good To Go agree global partnership to reduce food waste

International food retailer, SPAR has today announced a global partnership to tackle food waste with the rapidly growing social impact company Too Good To Go. With a total of 13 overlapping markets, in which 9,000 SPAR stores operate, both parties are keen to work together to offer shoppers an innovative digital solution to reduce food waste in participating stores across Europe. 

SPAR’s partnership with Too Good To Go will play a key role in reducing food waste, particularly for fresh foods and short shelf-life items. The European Union affirmed the goal of halving per capita food waste at consumer and retail level by 2030 as one element of the Green Deal.

The international partnership aims to help reduce food waste by allowing shoppers to order food from SPAR supermarkets at a reduced cost that would otherwise be wasted. After downloading the Too Good To Go app and registering, SPAR customers can find out how many discounted food packages are available at SPAR stores in their area. The SPAR Too Good To Go food packages, named ‘Magic Bags’ on the App, consist principally of fresh food products, including vegetables, fruit, dairy products, baked goods and other items from the SPAR range.

The partnership with Too Good To Go highlights SPAR’s multi-solution approach to supply chain waste reduction. Throughout the supply chain, SPAR addresses food waste in several ways, such as adopting improved processes for forecasting requirements and ordering. Within the stores, unsold fresh food can be incorporated in meal solutions and reductions in prices of short shelf-life foods are other methods implemented. Food donations are made to local charities and food banks by stores locally. 

“We are delighted to be working with Too Good To Go – this partnership is a natural fit for us. At SPAR, we are deeply committed to reducing food waste throughout the supply chain as a key part of our actions as a responsible retailer”, said Tobias Wasmuht, CEO SPAR International.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all of us, it has never been more important to manage food waste as fluctuating consumption patterns call on us to respond with speed and agility. Working with innovative, entrepreneurial companies such as Too Good To Go can provide sustainable solutions during this uncertain time.” 

Mette Lykke, CEO Too Good To Go added: “Together, SPAR and Too Good To Go have already saved more than 480,000 meals from going to waste. It’s a real success story and we are so pleased to be expanding the cooperation by scaling up in all markets where we share a presence.

“Food waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges we face, and retailers are uniquely placed to rise to the challenge. I’m excited for the year ahead, and for the impact Too Good To Go and SPAR can have together.”