MSE News: Co-op stores to sell food past its 'best before' date for 10p

It's a great idea hope it rolls out oop norf.

Probably cause a stampede................

bonus2010 wrote: »

Sounds a great idea to give all their customers an opportunity of buying discounted food instead of what is practiced by other supermarkets where they bypass their poorer regular customers to give it to foodbank businesses.

You sure it goes to foodbanks and isn't just thrown away? The article says Co-op says it can't go to the foodbank once the 'best before' has been passed as they won't accept it.

ViolaLass wrote: »

You sure it goes to foodbanks and isn't just thrown away? The article says Co-op says it can't go to the foodbank once the 'best before' has been passed as they won't accept it.

I’m not aware of what the co-op’s policy is today with regards foodbanks but I did use to be a regular shopper with the co-op when they had a supermarket in my town before closing it down, then I found that they’d wait until the very last couple of hours before reducing items right down and often they’d put items down to 10p. So, I suppose you’d be right if they weren’t all bought they’d be thrown away, but making this policy could help those not about in the last couple of hours before shop closing. So, it might be that co-ops thinking on nearly out of date items differs from other supermarkets as the co-op is keener to have items on the shelf longer whereas other supermarkets are taking items off the shelves to give to and please foodbank businesses sooner.

Last week the WRAP charity (Waste and Resources Action Programme) unveiled new food labelling guidance it estimates could save shoppers £1 billion a year – including using best before dates instead of use by dates except where necessary for safety.

Isn't this exactly the opposite of what would save shoppers money? I thought the idea was to encourage people to eat perfectly safe food and not throw it away just because it's past its best.