Metcash joins Australian fight to end food waste

Metcash, which supports a network of more than 1,600 independently owned supermarket stores in Australia including IGA and Foodland has become the most recent signatory to the Australian Food Pact – a pledge committing to food waste action. 

According to End Food Waste Australia, the organisation leading the Australian Food Pact, the equivalent of 29m meals go to waste every day in Australia. 

Estella Young, executive general manager, merchandise at Metcash Food, said reducing food waste supports communities, conserves resources, and plays a crucial role in addressing climate change.  

“This partnership between Metcash and the Australian Food Pact represents our next major step in the national collaborative efforts required to end food waste,” Young said. 

“Joining the Australian Food Pact builds on the outstanding work our stores and team members have already done to reduce food waste and support food rescue. Since 2010, we’ve partnered with Foodbank, and as a founding supporter of Food for Change, we provided close to 2.5m meals last year to those in need.”   

Steven Lapidge chief executive at End Food Waste Australia said food waste is a challenge too big for any one business or sector to solve alone.  

“Food waste is a 7.6m tonne and A$36.6bn challenge in Australia – collaboration across the supply chain is required to end food waste. The Australian Food Pact is a pledge of support for people and the planet, with businesses coming together for a food waste free Australia,” Lapidge said. 

“End Food Waste Australia welcomes Metcash to the Australian Food Pact and thanks them for committing their time and resources to the bold and important goal of halving food waste by 2030.”  

The Australian Food Pact launched in October 2021 and has since been joined by 37 organisations committed to food waste action including Mars, Unilever, Simplot, McCain Foods, Goodman Fielder, TipTop, Coles and Woolworths.