How to get FREE Tesco food using the Olio app and help cut food waste
SHOPPERS can bag Tesco food for free using the Olio app, which aims to cut food waste.
Biscuits, bread and fresh produce that is approaching its expiry date will be picked up from stores by one of the app's 8,000 volunteers who will then distribute it in their local communities.
The volunteers get to keep 10% of what they pick up from the store but they then photograph the rest and upload it to the free app for local people to claim.
The idea is that the volunteer and community groups arrange for the food to be collected from an agreed place, contact-free to help with social distancing.
The supermarket has been trialling the scheme in 250 stores over the past six months and will now be rolling it out to all branches.
The trial saved nearly 195,999 portions of food from going to waste by feeding 4,200 people.
How can I get free food from Tesco?
TESCO is giving away free food in a bid to cut down on food waste.
To get hold of your freebie you'll need to download the Olio app is free to download from Apple Store for iPhones or Google Play Store if you're on android.
You will need to register an account using your email address or Facebook account, and switch on your location settings.
You can then browse the app to find out what's up for grabs in your local area.
When you find something that you like, click on the item and then click the red "Request This Listing" button.
You will then be able to message the volunteer to arrange to collect it.
To list food on the app, you'll need to click on the red + button and add a description.
Morrisons has been running a similar scheme with the Too Good To Go app for the past year, with one mum bagging £25 worth of food for just £3.
Even though the food is close to its expiry date, Olio is registered with the Food Standards Agency to ensure that its still safe to eat when its collected.
The groceries are completely free but of course there's no guarantee what will be on offer as it will all depend on what's leftover.
There's also a chance that the number of products up for grabs will be limited or in short supply.
This is because Tesco already runs its own surplus food donations programme, like the Community Food Connection scheme with Fare Share.
Two million meals are donated to food charities every month under the programme and the food distributed through the Olio app will be picked from whatever is left.
The supermarket hopes the collaboration will help feed more families in food poverty, particularly in light of the impact the coronavirus crisis has had on family finances.
Here's how to cut the cost of your grocery shop
SAVING on your shop can make a big difference to your wallet. Here are some tips from Money.co.uk about how you can cut the cost of your shopping bills:
- Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
- Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry – you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media – follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
Claire De Silva said: “Right now we want to make sure that any surplus food is being managed and people who need it have access to it.
“The results of our initial trial were very positive and have allowed us to further roll out the partnership in our commitment to make sure no good food goes to waste.”
The Olio app is free to download from Apple Store for iPhones or Google Play Store if you're on android.
You'll need to create an account using your email address or Facebook account and share your location.
This is so you can find out what's up for grabs in your local area.
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