Major UK supermarkets launch new payment option for checkout customers

Daily Mirror

20-05-2025

The 'Let's make a meal of it' campaign will run in Waitrose and Morrisons online - and in Tesco and Sainsbury's online and in stores. Here's how it will work
Four of the UK's leading supermarkets are teaming up for a unique campaign, offering customers a new way to pay it forward at the checkout. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Waitrose are giving shoppers the opportunity to round-up their bill to support the 'Let's make a meal of it' initiative over the next fortnight.
The charitable drive will be available online at Waitrose and Morrisons, and both online and in-store at Tesco and Sainsbury's. This innovative scheme is set to combat hunger, with shocking statistics revealing that one in seven Brits struggle with food insecurity.
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All contributions made at the tills will go directly to FareShare, the nation's foremost organisation dedicated to redistributing food, where every pound donated can provide five meals to those in need.
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The funds raised will help serve hot meals to children at youth clubs during school breaks and offer communal dining experiences for individuals battling isolation.
Launching yesterday, May 19, the campaign will be active across the participating supermarkets for a period ranging from one to two weeks, reports the Manchester Evening News.
This collaborative effort follows His Majesty's call to action on his 75th birthday, urging the food sector to bridge the gap between surplus food and hunger.
Sainsbury's CEO and IGD President Simon Roberts said: "At Sainsbury's we believe everyone should have access to good food." Industry giants have come together in an unprecedented alliance to help fight food poverty across the UK, with major supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisons leading the charge.
Matthew Barnes, UK CEO of Tesco, said: "We are excited to support the Let's make a meal of it campaign and strengthen our partnership with FareShare."
He continued: "Collaboration is key to addressing food insecurity, and we are happy to partner on this with the other retailers."
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Rami Baitiéh, CEO of Morrisons, said: "As a food retailer and manufacturer, we are committed to tackling food waste from field to fork."
Further to his commitment, Baitiéh added: "We want to help eradicate food poverty and are delighted to play our part in this industry initiative to redistribute surplus food to people in need."
The advocacy has led to the formation of the Alliance Food Sourcing coalition, aiming to synergise efforts between various sectors such as supermarkets, suppliers, logistics providers, and charities devoted to reducing food waste.
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The move comes after studies revealed a staggering 4.6 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away annually within the supply chain.
The Alliance aims to salvage food slated for disposal, transforming potential waste like vegetable trimmings into hearty soups, repackaging unused sauce for community use, and converting excess baking ingredients into tasty biscuits for those struggling with food scarcity.
"We are excited to support the Let's make a meal of it campaign and strengthen our partnership with FareShare. Collaboration is key to addressing food insecurity, and we are happy to partner on this with the other retailers.
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"As a food retailer and manufacturer, we are committed to tackling food waste from field to fork.
"We want to help eradicate food poverty and are delighted to play our part in this industry initiative to redistribute surplus food to people in need."
James Bailey, managing director of Waitrose and Partners, said: "We are proud to be part of Alliance Food Sourcing to reduce food waste while tackling food insecurity.
"Working with our suppliers, we're helping to divert surplus from our supply chain that would otherwise be wasted, to get good, nutritious food to people in need."
Customers keen to contribute can round up their shopping bill at the checkout or make a donation via the FareShare website.