VISION 2025⁺ GOALS

DEFINITION OF THE GOAL

Halve inedible food loss and waste in our own operations (stores, head offices, and distribution centres) and across our top 30 suppliers by procurement spend (in rand) by 2030.

Our definitions for food loss and waste are aligned with the World Resources Institute’s Food Loss & Waste Protocol.

This goal only applies to Woolworths Food.
 

WHY WE SET IT

It has been estimated that 1.3 billion tonnes of food goes to waste globally each year – around a third of all food produced. This is costing the global economy an estimated one trillion dollars annually (UN FAO). Not only is the food going to waste, but the resources used to produce the food are being wasted too. As a food retailer, we recognise that we have a responsibility to reduce food loss and waste in our value chain.
 

HOW WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE IT

We have already made great strides in reducing edible food waste to landfill through our value chain by:

• Working with farmers and suppliers to reduce their edible food waste to landfill
• Donating surplus food from stores to charities
• Allowing store staff to purchase at discounted prices food that is past its ‘sell by’ date, but before its ‘use by’ date
• Instituting packaging solutions to ensure maximum shelf-life, without compromising product quality and safety
• Providing clear guidance on the preparation, cooking, and storage of the private label food products we sell

These initiatives will continue, and will be supplemented as we work to achieve this target.
 

CHALLENGES WE FACE

We need to establish accurate measurement and reporting processes and systems for food waste in our direct operations, so as to be able to quantify our baseline and future reductions. We also need to continue challenging our packaging options to remain fit-for-purpose and ensure food quality and safety while at the same time maximising shelf-life.
 

KPIs TO MEASURE AND REPORT OUR PERFORMANCE

• Percentage reduction in edible food waste to landfill in own operations
• Number of top 30 suppliers to sign the South African Food Loss and Waste Voluntary Agreement to halve food waste to landfill in their operations by 2030

BASELINES

• Percentage reduction in edible food waste to landfill in our own operations: Baseline established – 1 711 tonnes of food loss and waste
• Number of top 30 suppliers to sign the South African Food Loss and Waste Voluntary Agreement: 0

RELATED GOOD BUSINESS JOURNEY FOCUS AREA

RELATED UN SDG

More information on our performance against this goal can be found in our annual Good Business Journey Report.