Lidl GB Tests Community-led Sustainability Campaign

Lidl GB is testing a food redistribution scheme with Neighbourly and Olio. The trial aims to cut waste by connecting stores with volunteer collectors who share surplus items with local communities.

The discounter announced the partnership as part of its food sustainability commitments. Neighbourly will manage the programme, which integrates Olio's network of Food Waste Heroes into Lidl's existing surplus food system.

The trial launches on 15 May across 20 stores in London and Northern England. If the pilot succeeds, Lidl GB plans to roll out the scheme nationally by the end of 2026.

How the redistribution works

Neighbourly will combine its social impact platform with Olio's volunteer network to create an additional redistribution channel for Lidl. Customers can download the Olio app for free and register as Food Waste Heroes to collect surplus items from participating stores in the evenings.

The scheme allows volunteers to collect chilled food, meat, fish, poultry and bakery products. Heroes then share these items with neighbours through the app at no cost.

Steve Butterworth, Neighbourly CEO, says the expansion provides Lidl with another redistribution layer. He notes that the programme operates alongside existing charity partnerships rather than replacing them.

"Our mission has always been to ensure as much edible surplus food as possible goes to those in our communities that need it most," Steve says.

"By expanding the programme to evening collections and including Olio's Food Waste Heroes, we are providing Lidl with a robust additional redistribution layer."

Expected trial outcomes

According to the companies, the trial could redistribute more than 5,000 tonnes of food if successful. This volume equates to 11.9 million meals for people in need.

The 20-store pilot tests whether the volunteer model can scale across Lidl's UK store network. The discounter has set a deadline of end of 2026 for national expansion if results meet expectations.

Saasha Celestial-One, Co-Founder and CEO of Olio, explains that the partnership allows the app's volunteers to access Lidl surplus food. She says the collaboration aims to maximise the amount of edible items reaching local communities.

"We're delighted to be joining forces with Neighbourly and Lidl," Saasha says. "We're looking forward to working together to maximise the amount of edible surplus that can reach local communities from Lidl stores and making sure as little food as possible goes to waste."

Lidl's waste reduction targets

Lidl GB set a new food waste reduction target in early 2026 after exceeding its FY2025 goal of a 40% reduction. The retailer raised its five-year target from 50% to 70% by 2030.

The company updated its in-store bakery operations to align product volumes with demand patterns throughout the day. According to Lidl GB, this change reduced bakery-related food waste by 30% in FY2025.

The Lidl Plus app offers customers a 20% discount on bakery items after 7pm. This pricing strategy provides another mechanism to reduce waste levels at store level.

Matt Juden, Head of Sustainability at Lidl GB, says the extension of the Neighbourly programme allows the retailer to increase its impact. He comments that the scheme ensures edible food reaches communities rather than disposal.

"At Lidl GB, we believe that no good food should ever go to waste," Matt says. "While we have already made massive strides in reducing our surplus, this extension of our Neighbourly-managed programme allows us to have even more impact."