Life can be a struggle sometimes—from not having enough food on the table to struggling to pay the bills.

That’s why organisations such as the Townsville Community Pantry, which does amazing work scraping together donations for people in need, have become so important.

But their good work has been recently overshadowed by the excessive amounts of food waste that have been discovered at ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland.

A video surfaced on social media showing fruit and vegetables being thrown into a skip bin full of produce at the newly opened store. This branch is ALDI’s first store in North Queensland. You can read more on the store’s opening announcement here.

ALDI’s fruit and vegetable waste disposal distressing a community pantry in need. Image: ALDI

The video sparked outrage on social media and gained hundreds of comments from those who watched the footage.

The Townsville Community Pantry Manager, Tricia Hatfield, spoke out about the extensive waste and said that the excess produce would have been much better used than being thrown out.

'We collect from several supermarkets during the week. What we get is stored in a cold room for refrigeration. It goes to people first, and if that’s not suitable, it will go to a farmer. It distresses me a bit to know that there is food being wasted like that,' she said.

The company that contracted the skip to the ALDI store confirmed they had never seen so much fresh produce being thrown away.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for ALDI said the store had incorrectly estimated the amount of produce needed and, in response, has put measures in place to prevent further waste.

‘As we open in new markets, there is always a learning curve, and it was clear that the produce estimate was incorrect, resulting in an unfortunate amount of waste,’ a spokesperson said.

‘A larger volume of produce was ordered than normal to ensure the thousands of local customers who passed through our doors could experience the best.’

'Upon realising that the produce was surplus to requirement, ALDI Townsville worked with its local food waste partner OzHarvest, donating produce until their food waste partner could no longer accept further donations. Measures have also been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.'

ALDI had also rectified the number of produce for the Townsville store, said the spokesperson.

‘Measures have been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.’

ALDI stated on its website that it has committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 by improving its food rescue processes.

‘If not deemed suitable for human consumption, food waste will be sent to animal feed,’ the website reads.

Fruit and vegetable produce are needed by the Townsville Community Pantry to feed more families. Image: Freepik

But Hatfield said there’s still more work to be done.

'We are covering 250 families or people a week on average,' Hatfield said.

'We’re registering new people every week; we had 24 new registrations last week. We have people coming in who are homeless or living in their cars, and they’re finding it very hard not only with food prices but rent and so on.'

Key Takeaways

• A video posted on social media showed staff at a newly opened ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland, discarding surplus fresh produce.
• The video has sparked outrage on social media and concern from the Townsville Community Pantry, which would have been willing to accept the unwanted items.
• An ALDI spokesperson acknowledged that the supermarket had incorrectly estimated the volume of produce required for the new store and has taken steps to rectify the issue.
• ALDI is committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 according to their website, and unsuitable food will be sent to animal feed.

If there are other similar organisations in your area that need some donations in your area, kindly give them assistance if you can. Every bit of help makes all the difference.

What do you think about this story, members? If you have any stories to share about food waste or food donations, let us know in the comments below!

 

[Suzanne rose]

Why are they not reducing this food dramatically for customers or even put it at the front of store with a sign saying free

 

[ElizabethL]

Why are they not reducing this food dramatically for customers or even put it at the front of store with a sign saying free

If they did that then customers wouldn’t purchase until it was marked down or free.

 

[wjs1957]

Life can be a struggle sometimes—from not having enough food on the table to struggling to pay the bills.

That’s why organisations such as the Townsville Community Pantry, which does amazing work scraping together donations for people in need, have become so important.

But their good work has been recently overshadowed by the excessive amounts of food waste that have been discovered at ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland.

A video surfaced on social media showing fruit and vegetables being thrown into a skip bin full of produce at the newly opened store. This branch is ALDI’s first store in North Queensland. You can read more on the store’s opening announcement here.

View attachment 35978

ALDI’s fruit and vegetable waste disposal distressing a community pantry in need. Image: ALDI

The video sparked outrage on social media and gained hundreds of comments from those who watched the footage.

The Townsville Community Pantry Manager, Tricia Hatfield, spoke out about the extensive waste and said that the excess produce would have been much better used than being thrown out.

'We collect from several supermarkets during the week. What we get is stored in a cold room for refrigeration. It goes to people first, and if that’s not suitable, it will go to a farmer. It distresses me a bit to know that there is food being wasted like that,' she said.

The company that contracted the skip to the ALDI store confirmed they had never seen so much fresh produce being thrown away.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for ALDI said the store had incorrectly estimated the amount of produce needed and, in response, has put measures in place to prevent further waste.

‘As we open in new markets, there is always a learning curve, and it was clear that the produce estimate was incorrect, resulting in an unfortunate amount of waste,’ a spokesperson said.

‘A larger volume of produce was ordered than normal to ensure the thousands of local customers who passed through our doors could experience the best.’

'Upon realising that the produce was surplus to requirement, ALDI Townsville worked with its local food waste partner OzHarvest, donating produce until their food waste partner could no longer accept further donations. Measures have also been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.'

ALDI had also rectified the number of produce for the Townsville store, said the spokesperson.

‘Measures have been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.’

ALDI stated on its website that it has committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 by improving its food rescue processes.

‘If not deemed suitable for human consumption, food waste will be sent to animal feed,’ the website reads.

View attachment 35979

Fruit and vegetable produce are needed by the Townsville Community Pantry to feed more families. Image: Freepik

But Hatfield said there’s still more work to be done.

'We are covering 250 families or people a week on average,' Hatfield said.

'We’re registering new people every week; we had 24 new registrations last week. We have people coming in who are homeless or living in their cars, and they’re finding it very hard not only with food prices but rent and so on.'

Key Takeaways

• A video posted on social media showed staff at a newly opened ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland, discarding surplus fresh produce.
• The video has sparked outrage on social media and concern from the Townsville Community Pantry, which would have been willing to accept the unwanted items.
• An ALDI spokesperson acknowledged that the supermarket had incorrectly estimated the volume of produce required for the new store and has taken steps to rectify the issue.
• ALDI is committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 according to their website, and unsuitable food will be sent to animal feed.

If there are other similar organisations in your area that need some donations in your area, kindly give them assistance if you can. Every bit of help makes all the difference.

What do you think about this story, members? If you have any stories to share about food waste or food donations, let us know in the comments below!

Life can be a struggle sometimes—from not having enough food on the table to struggling to pay the bills.

That’s why organisations such as the Townsville Community Pantry, which does amazing work scraping together donations for people in need, have become so important.

But their good work has been recently overshadowed by the excessive amounts of food waste that have been discovered at ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland.

A video surfaced on social media showing fruit and vegetables being thrown into a skip bin full of produce at the newly opened store. This branch is ALDI’s first store in North Queensland. You can read more on the store’s opening announcement here.

View attachment 35978

ALDI’s fruit and vegetable waste disposal distressing a community pantry in need. Image: ALDI

The video sparked outrage on social media and gained hundreds of comments from those who watched the footage.

The Townsville Community Pantry Manager, Tricia Hatfield, spoke out about the extensive waste and said that the excess produce would have been much better used than being thrown out.

'We collect from several supermarkets during the week. What we get is stored in a cold room for refrigeration. It goes to people first, and if that’s not suitable, it will go to a farmer. It distresses me a bit to know that there is food being wasted like that,' she said.

The company that contracted the skip to the ALDI store confirmed they had never seen so much fresh produce being thrown away.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for ALDI said the store had incorrectly estimated the amount of produce needed and, in response, has put measures in place to prevent further waste.

‘As we open in new markets, there is always a learning curve, and it was clear that the produce estimate was incorrect, resulting in an unfortunate amount of waste,’ a spokesperson said.

‘A larger volume of produce was ordered than normal to ensure the thousands of local customers who passed through our doors could experience the best.’

'Upon realising that the produce was surplus to requirement, ALDI Townsville worked with its local food waste partner OzHarvest, donating produce until their food waste partner could no longer accept further donations. Measures have also been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.'

ALDI had also rectified the number of produce for the Townsville store, said the spokesperson.

‘Measures have been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.’

ALDI stated on its website that it has committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 by improving its food rescue processes.

‘If not deemed suitable for human consumption, food waste will be sent to animal feed,’ the website reads.

View attachment 35979

Fruit and vegetable produce are needed by the Townsville Community Pantry to feed more families. Image: Freepik

But Hatfield said there’s still more work to be done.

'We are covering 250 families or people a week on average,' Hatfield said.

'We’re registering new people every week; we had 24 new registrations last week. We have people coming in who are homeless or living in their cars, and they’re finding it very hard not only with food prices but rent and so on.'

Key Takeaways

• A video posted on social media showed staff at a newly opened ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland, discarding surplus fresh produce.
• The video has sparked outrage on social media and concern from the Townsville Community Pantry, which would have been willing to accept the unwanted items.
• An ALDI spokesperson acknowledged that the supermarket had incorrectly estimated the volume of produce required for the new store and has taken steps to rectify the issue.
• ALDI is committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 according to their website, and unsuitable food will be sent to animal feed.

If there are other similar organisations in your area that need some donations in your area, kindly give them assistance if you can. Every bit of help makes all the difference.

What do you think about this story, members? If you have any stories to share about food waste or food donations, let us know in the comments below!

If they had a surplus, they should have made it free. Not only would that have saved waste, but being a new store, it would have been great for new customers and give the store more custom later. Aldi's excuse was very weak indeed!!

 

[wjs1957]

Opportunity lost Aldi!!

 

[CristinaV]

The result of high prices. If people can't buy then food is thrown away, no matter how much or how little the supermarket buys.

 

[Glo72]

Where I live Aldi,Woolworths and Coles donate fresh produce,meat,dairy and pantry items to local churches who then make up boxes of the items and give them to the people doing it tough every week.

 

[Suzanne rose]

If they did that then customers wouldn’t purchase until it was marked down or free.

If they did this at different times I'm sure most people wouldn't hang around waiting on it, only those who are truly desperate.

 

[keithnandkris]

I am sure there are food kitchen for the poor and homeless that would be thrilled to take the overstocked or out date product. Get on board ALDI. Maybe even buy signwritten van displaying you community service.

 

[Jennylolo]

just drop the price to where it should be. It would be bought. Just watched this morning a farmer not going to harvest 80 acres as his cost he won't even break even based on what supermarkets pay him and charge customers. Customers aren't buying so stores increase the price.

 

[CristinaV]

just drop the price to where it should be. It would be bought. Just watched this morning a farmer not going to harvest 80 acres as his cost he won't even break even based on what supermarkets pay him and charge customers. Customers aren't buying so stores increase the price.

Farmer doesn't sell = supermarket increases its prices = customers do not buy products = into the bin it all goes.

 

[Jennylolo]

Farmer doesn't sell = supermarket increases its prices = customers do not buy products = into the bin it all goes.

exactly. The farmer was speaking on behalf of others as well. He was being paid under $2, he said they should be selling around 2:50 to 3:00 minimum, not the up to 7.99 he sees on the shelves. He said they need to bring the price down so people will buy then there's no waste.

 

[David567]

All supermarkets do the same thing. They could at least donate it to the local schools and Kindys or even nursing homes instead of throwing it away.

 

[Parrot]

Instead of throwing Food away.. why not reduce the price by 50% I am sure it will go in no time..

 

[Phantom55]

All supermarkets do the same thing. They could at least donate it to the local schools and Kindys or even nursing homes instead of throwing it away.

I tried that from my shop years ago ..I had a cake shop and closed at mid day on Saturday .so I would have a half price hour 11am...ha ha that lasted 3 weeks . so I started to send cakes to local nursing home for free...ha ha nursing home willingly accept cakes if individually wrapped cakes, listing ingredients and delivered at a certain time so....I started sending unsold cakes to local pig farm...no problems!! pigs are very nice people

 

[Granny*Deb]

All supermarkets do the same thing. They could at least donate it to the local schools and Kindys or even nursing homes instead of throwing it away.

Golly imagine nursing homes and the like giving fresh fruit to the elderly. Their diets would be better getting beautiful vitamins and minerals. Childcare centres as well and even state schools for lunchtime some frozen oranges and grapes. The list is endless of those who could benefit from fruit.

 

[Phantom36]

Life can be a struggle sometimes—from not having enough food on the table to struggling to pay the bills.

That’s why organisations such as the Townsville Community Pantry, which does amazing work scraping together donations for people in need, have become so important.

But their good work has been recently overshadowed by the excessive amounts of food waste that have been discovered at ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland.

A video surfaced on social media showing fruit and vegetables being thrown into a skip bin full of produce at the newly opened store. This branch is ALDI’s first store in North Queensland. You can read more on the store’s opening announcement here.

View attachment 35978

ALDI’s fruit and vegetable waste disposal distressing a community pantry in need. Image: ALDI

The video sparked outrage on social media and gained hundreds of comments from those who watched the footage.

The Townsville Community Pantry Manager, Tricia Hatfield, spoke out about the extensive waste and said that the excess produce would have been much better used than being thrown out.

'We collect from several supermarkets during the week. What we get is stored in a cold room for refrigeration. It goes to people first, and if that’s not suitable, it will go to a farmer. It distresses me a bit to know that there is food being wasted like that,' she said.

The company that contracted the skip to the ALDI store confirmed they had never seen so much fresh produce being thrown away.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for ALDI said the store had incorrectly estimated the amount of produce needed and, in response, has put measures in place to prevent further waste.

‘As we open in new markets, there is always a learning curve, and it was clear that the produce estimate was incorrect, resulting in an unfortunate amount of waste,’ a spokesperson said.

‘A larger volume of produce was ordered than normal to ensure the thousands of local customers who passed through our doors could experience the best.’

'Upon realising that the produce was surplus to requirement, ALDI Townsville worked with its local food waste partner OzHarvest, donating produce until their food waste partner could no longer accept further donations. Measures have also been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.'

ALDI had also rectified the number of produce for the Townsville store, said the spokesperson.

‘Measures have been put in place to minimise waste levels in this store, including working to expand our food donation network in Townsville.’

ALDI stated on its website that it has committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 by improving its food rescue processes.

‘If not deemed suitable for human consumption, food waste will be sent to animal feed,’ the website reads.

View attachment 35979

Fruit and vegetable produce are needed by the Townsville Community Pantry to feed more families. Image: Freepik

But Hatfield said there’s still more work to be done.

'We are covering 250 families or people a week on average,' Hatfield said.

'We’re registering new people every week; we had 24 new registrations last week. We have people coming in who are homeless or living in their cars, and they’re finding it very hard not only with food prices but rent and so on.'

Key Takeaways

• A video posted on social media showed staff at a newly opened ALDI in Townsville, North Queensland, discarding surplus fresh produce.
• The video has sparked outrage on social media and concern from the Townsville Community Pantry, which would have been willing to accept the unwanted items.
• An ALDI spokesperson acknowledged that the supermarket had incorrectly estimated the volume of produce required for the new store and has taken steps to rectify the issue.
• ALDI is committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025 according to their website, and unsuitable food will be sent to animal feed.

If there are other similar organisations in your area that need some donations in your area, kindly give them assistance if you can. Every bit of help makes all the difference.

What do you think about this story, members? If you have any stories to share about food waste or food donations, let us know in the comments below!

Mr Hatfield is doing a great job suppling 250 people a week with food. That is 250 families that don't need to shop for fresh produce at ALDI which will probably cause more produce to be either given away or thrown away. No there is no simple answer.