Sainsbury’s is opening a new walk-in freezer concept store that will show customers how to freeze unsuspecting foods. This, says the UK retailer, will save surplus food going to waste and help people save money.
Opening in London between 27 and 28 September, Sainsfreeze will offer everyday grocery items frozen in “innovative ways”. They will all be given away for free.
Sainsbury’s says the products available have been selected off the back of research that revealed the items Brits most commonly throw away as they’re about to go off, including milk, eggs, bread, and onions, along with other commonly wasted items, such as bananas and herbs.
“We recognise the way our customers shop and eat has benefits for their health and the planet too,” says Sainsbury’s Director of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Ruth Cranston. “It’s why our mission, helping everyone eat better, supports our customers to make healthier, more sustainable choices.
“When people think about climate change, food waste often gets overlooked. Around a third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted and it contributes a whopping 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions globally each year. That’s why we are launching Sainsfreeze, to help customers try and combat food waste and learn handy hints and top tips along the way. Innovative freezing not only allows us to save food we would otherwise have thrown away, but also to buy reduced food close to its use-by date, saving even more money on the weekly grocery bill.”
All surplus food from Sainsfreeze will be donated to Sainsbury’s food redistribution charity partner FareShare, ensuring that no food goes to waste.