Lidl will sell 'stunted' fruit and vegetables affected by drought

2022-08-25

Lidl says it will sell ‘stunted’ fruit and vegetables affected by drought to support farmers and cut down on food waste

Chain wrote to its British suppliers to ask how it could help following heatwave
Farmers have faced record temperatures and the driest summer for 50 years
It will now accommodate products hit by the drought, including misshapen fruit
Have you seen any wonky fruit or veg? Email us: [email protected]

Lidl says it will sell ‘stunted’ fruit and vegetables affected by the drought to support farmers and ensure food does not go to waste.

The discount supermarket chain said it wrote to its British fresh produce suppliers in the face of the record heat and the driest summer for half a century to ask how it could help.

Where possible, it will now accommodate products hit by the drought, including those which are a different size than shoppers are used to.

Lidl GB’s chief executive Ryan McDonnell called on other supermarkets to follow suit.

Lidl says it will sell ‘stunted’ fruit and vegetables affected by the drought to support farmers and ensure food does not go to waste

The discount supermarket chain said it wrote to its British fresh produce suppliers in the face of the record heat and the driest summer for half a century to ask how it could help

Where possible, it will now accommodate products hit by the drought, including those which are a different size than shoppers are used to

Lidl GB’s chief executive Ryan McDonnell called on other supermarkets to follow suit

He said: ‘Farmers across the country are facing a big challenge this year due to the extreme weather conditions experienced over the summer months.

‘Whilst the crop coming out may look and feel a bit different to what we’re all used to, it’s still the same great British quality.

‘We therefore want to show support for our suppliers by working with them to find solutions to help.’

He said the company has always tried to work with suppliers to be flexible with variations in specifications at different times of the year, but said that now more than ever it is ‘critical’ that Lidl and the rest of the sector get behind farmers.

He added: ‘That’s why we have written to all of our British fresh produce suppliers and I would urge other supermarkets to do the same, so that together we can ensure that perfectly good produce isn’t going to waste.’

The supermarket will relax size and shape guidelines for new season potatoes, carrots, strawberries, apples, pears and peppers – all forming part of a revamped lineup in its pioneering ‘A Little Less Than Perfect’ range. Waitrose will also divert millions of units of wonky carrots and other misshapen vegetables into its own label soups, ready meals, smoothies – ensuring that no food that’s good to eat is wasted.

Paul Bidwell, Fresh Produce Buyer at Waitrose, comments: ‘Our Little Less Than Perfect range is nothing new – we’ve done it for years, but we constantly look at ways we can support our farmers through challenging conditions and often that means altering our specifications.

‘Many of our UK suppliers have managed through the drought thanks to back up water supplies from reservoirs or rain water capture systems so we’ve focused our efforts on those that need the most help. What’s in store may look a bit different at times but it will always represent the same great quality, taste and high standards our customers are used to.’

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