A new survey carried out on behalf of Aldi Ireland and FoodCloud has found that, on average, Irish consumers waste €832 worth of food each year.
Carried out by Coyne Research, the retailer and FoodCloud released the results today, to mark ten years of partnership between them.
As part of the partnership, Aldi has donated four million meals to date to the organisation, which tackles food waste and food scarcity by redistributing produce from partners to those in need.
FoodCloud has redistributed 123,760 tonnes of food since it was established – the equivalent of over 294.7 million meals.
The announcement comes just after the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, on 29 September.
Findings
The survey found that, on average, 14% of the average weekly spend on groceries is going to waste.
In 2022, research found that 47% of customers threw out food weekly, which has now reduced to 43%.
It added that those with young families are the most uncomfortable with throwing food away.
Some 80% of customers say that they prepare a weekly meal plan, while 59% said that they are buying less food to avoid wasting it.
These proactive measures not only help reduce waste, but also promote better budgeting, to manage the ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
Aside from the financial and environmental cost, respondents cited the opportunity to direct food to those less fortunate as a major motivation.
Irish customers also remain conscious of cost-of-living concerns, with 37% of respondents saying that they are currently trying to spend less on groceries.
The average weekly spend on groceries for consumers without children is €94 per week, which increases to €129 for consumers with children.
‘Make A Significant Impact’
Colin Breslin, the managing director of buying and services at Aldi Ireland, said of the findings, “This research emphasises the progress being made in reducing food waste in Ireland and that we are on the right path.
“Reducing food waste not only brings financial benefits for customers, but also has a positive impact on the environment and ensures that food can be redistributed to those most vulnerable in society.
“Our ten-year partnership with FoodCloud has been instrumental in addressing this issue, and while there has been a lot of progress in that time, we know there is more to be done.
“We are committed to providing practical solutions to our customers that can help them make more sustainable choices.
“By working together, we can make a significant impact on reducing food waste and its negative effects on the environment and society.”
FoodCloud co-founder and CEO Iseult Ward added, “The findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about the environmental and social impacts of food waste.
“Our decade-long partnership with Aldi has made a substantial difference, but continued education and engagement are crucial to further reduce food waste and its harmful effects.”
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