Thursday, March 28, 2024

Walmart Canada plans to eliminate food waste by 2025

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In a move to fight against hunger, Walmart has announced its initiative to eliminate food waste in all its Canadian stores by 2025.

The retail chain outlined its strategy to do so in a press release last week, stating that they would improve operational efficiencies during production to reduce waste, increase food donations, and provide philanthropic support through monetary donations to organizations like Food Banks Canada.

“We are stepping up in the fight against food waste and hunger,” said Lee Tappenden, president and CEO, Walmart Canada. “I’m very proud of our comprehensive, 360-degree approach to tackle these issues. In addition to the Walmart Foundation’s significant funding, Walmart Canada’s operational initiatives, food donations and philanthropy will help to further reduce food waste and food insecurity in Canada.”

So far, the company has donated $1 million to Food Banks Canada, and is committing an additional $19 million to non-profit organizations across the country that are devoted to zero food waste initiatives.

These include projects like Second Harvest, Daily Bread Food Bank, Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, and Recycling Council of Ontario.

“The Walmart Foundation is committed to being part of the solution on the important issue of food waste in Canada. We are excited to support these outstanding organizations pursuing innovative and effective initiatives all along the food chain,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and chief sustainability officer for Walmart.

“As a business, Walmart believes the value-maximizing strategy is the one that creates shared value – value for customers, business and society – by strengthening systems we all rely on. We hope today’s announcements will help accelerate momentum and inspire even more collective action to reduce food waste and alleviate hunger in Canada.”

According to a report by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 13 million tonnes of food is wasted or lost in Canada every year.

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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