Co-op to sell food past "best before" for 10p

Just opened jar of use by 2008 marmalade - consumer still alive. Must go and check the 'Armageddon' cupboard to see where the knocking sounds are emanating from.

Superb idea - the co-op is normally quite expensive but this would encourage me to use it

It is a good idea, being born in 1943 there were no dates on food and most people didn’t even have a fridge but we all survived. My only reservation is that the food won’t go to those in genuine need but to dedicated bargain hunters. I can only assume that food banks have strict rules about accepting out of date food.

I worked for a couple of Supermarkets and we were always given the chance to buy old stock. I`d eaten it for years and I`m still here fit and healthy. Good on the CO OP. I remember throwing away loafs of bread because of the sell by date still with two days life left.

I work in a number of stores from time to time, especially M&S, Tesco, Morrisons, and Asda and the waste horrifies me (especially M&S). Beautiful fruit and vegetables get dumped rather than marked down but as I am a visitor I daren't say anything.
When I see a worthwhile markdown anywhere I snap it up, cook then freeze if not needed right away. Common sense rather than arbitrary dates is needed.

which, not who

It is in fact difficult to get the supply chain right, both for the farmers who are beholden to the supermarkets and for the supermarkets themselves. I'm speaking more of fresh food here.
Whatever reason, it is rarely the supermarket who carries the burden, it's usually the farmer.

Agree with Millynan totally!

Splendid idea, well done The Co-op. Perhaps this will help re-educate the younger members of our society about sell by & use by dates. I think a lot of people do not truly understand the principle behind the original idea. Before these safeguards were in place you learnt to “know” by look smell & touch if something was okay to eat. Many Gransneters will know exactly what I mean. Thinking may be folk don’t have the time to shop this way in this modern world we live in?

The shops will miss out in the end. People will buy the 10p stuff where they would have bought the regular stuff. So less stuff sold overall - profits down. Might not last long.

Thinks.

However, they would have thrown it away for nothing before this scheme.

We shall see.

I was taught to use eyes and nose by my Nan and in Domestic Science at school. Mind you buying from a butcher and greengrocer meant you had to as they didn’t stamp the meat or apples. It’s common sense really but I fear there’s a whole generation who just read what they’re told on the label.

I still feel angry about that woman who was prosecuted for going through the bins outside one supermarket - it was a while ago now. She found perfectly good packets of ham and other foods just on the date - it should have been a wakeup call rather than ending in her prosecution.

I hope that is not St Greggs momb

My son works for a well known bakery chain in London and is appalled that food is just thrown out at the end of the day.

I have always bought food with sell buy date, there is nothing wrong. I appreciate the 10p for those item. Sometime you can't afford the items when they are on normal price but if/when they are reduced, you can afford to eat exotic food which you would not usually.

Very admirable.
A pity the Food Banks are not involved though.

Always check on BB date/short lifed discount shelves - if something I can/will use, buy it! - never suffered any ill-effects. Sometimes also buy UB short-lifed dates, but that's dependent on goods type.

I'm sure I saw a reduced section in Waitrose the last time I was in the UK. I was with eldest son, and he always goes for the bargains.

I should think they'll be on the bargain shelf. I've often picked up things from there myself, and why on earth not? I once got our Christmas turkey for a couple of pounds on the afternoon of Christmas Eve - it was more a case of not being organised than trying to save money, but I was amazed at the bargains to be had.

I don't think it will be a case of "rooting around in the bargain bin", I imagine tins/pasta etc will be displayed as usual but with a 10p price tag depending on the date...

Great idea.

(I do seem to have some very fortunate friends!)

Apparently many charities refuse food on or past it's best before date. I assume because they can't move it on quickly enough.

I think most other shops will follow suit, many already mark stuff down, but this will really shift stuff and benefit those on a tight income too. A friend said she thought it would be demeaning for 'poor' people to have to root around in the baskets of 10p goods but was shot down by another, very well heeled friend who said she'd be in there with them! Look after the pennies!

Jalima1108 they're closing for 3 days over Christmas so its stuff that might reach its sell by over that time ,at least its being used and not thrown out .Be good if other shops followed suit

About time too . Well done the Co-op.

I think Jalima1108 point is spot on. They did say they tried to give it away to customers but there were no takers - however, paying a bargain price for something seems to appeal far more.