Tesco has launched a new supply chain initiative that will extend the shelf life of its fruit & veg and ultimately cut food wastage.

Items such as citrus fruit, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli will stay fresh for up to two extra days, thanks to a move that will see Tesco ship produce direct from European suppliers straight into its stores after cutting out a food packing stage within the supply chain. 

As part of its ongoing programme to tackle food waste, Tesco said it had looked at its supply chain to identify ways of working directly with producers to speed up the process by which freshly picked produce arrives in store. It found that as a result of advancements in packing and storage it was now possible to ship produce directly from European suppliers, cutting the amount of time products spent in transit. 

According to the UK’s Waste and Resources Reduction Action Programme (WRAP), seven million tonnes of food is thrown away each year by British households, costing the average family with children £700. 

Tesco Group Food Commercial Director Matt Simister said: “For millions of our customers this move will mean having up to an extra two days in which to enjoy some of the most popular fruit and vegetables. The extra days of freshness will particularly benefit customers who are pressed for time and will mean they are less likely to throw away food. 

“The move is part of our efforts to not only help busy families plan ahead but also to help customers reduce waste at home too.”