At the Channel Islands Coop, we believe in making a difference – not just in the way we run our stores, but in the way we serve our community and help our planet.
Food is at the heart of what we do, and we believe that good food should never go to waste while people go hungry. That’s why tackling food waste is a priority for us, and why Food Waste Action Week is so important.
Why we care about food waste
Food waste is one of the biggest environmental and social challenges of our time. Every year, perfectly edible food is thrown away while families in our islands struggle to afford fresh, nutritious meals. The impact of food waste goes beyond just the bin – it’s a waste of all the resources that went into producing it, from water and energy to the hard work of our farmers and suppliers.
As a community retailer, we don’t believe in waste. We believe in responsibility, sustainability, and making sure surplus food benefits the people who need it most. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to take action, not just during Food Waste Action Week, but every single day.
What we’re doing about it
At the Channel Islands Coop, we take a whole-business approach to reducing food waste.
While our partnership with Olio is one of the most impactful ways we redistribute surplus food, it’s only one part of the bigger picture.
Making the most of our stock
We work hard to minimise waste at every stage, from stock management to pricing:
· Careful stock ordering – our stores use demand-driven ordering systems to reduce the risk of overstocking, ensuring that as little food as possible reaches its expiry date unsold.
· Smart pricing – we use yellow sticker reductions to offer customers discounts on food nearing its sell-by date, ensuring it’s sold and eaten rather than wasted.
· Member and customer education – through in-store campaigns, online guides, zero waste recipes and initiatives like Love Food Hate Waste, we help our customers make the most of the food they buy.
Redistributing food that would otherwise be wasted
We recognise that, despite best efforts, some surplus food is inevitable—so we ensure it gets to the right place.
· Olio partnership – instead of letting unsold food go to waste, we redistribute it through Olio, where volunteers collect and share it with our local communities.
· Local food donations – we support local charities by donating surplus food that can help families struggling to afford basic meals.
Cutting waste behind the scenes
We also tackle food waste before food even reaches the shelves, working with suppliers to ensure sustainable practices.
· Backroom food waste management – where food cannot be sold or donated, we are exploring alternative uses such as composting or animal feed, ensuring waste is minimised at every stage.
· Food waste reduction targets – as part of our wider sustainability strategy, we are committed to reducing our overall waste footprint and looking at ways to make our supply chain even more efficient.
Our impact in 2025
Since launching our food-sharing initiative, the results have been incredible:
· 52,536kg of edible food donated to local households.
· 156,564 items donated, equivalent to 89,869 meals provided, ensuring that good food reaches those who need it.
· 160,023kg of CO₂ emissions prevented, helping to reduce our environmental footprint.
· 28,196 litres of water saved, the equivalent of what it takes to produce this food.
Food and clean water are essential to life
Water is just as vital as food, yet in 2025, over 700 million people around the world still lack access to safe water*. That is why we’re also raising awareness of World Water Day on Saturday 22 March. This global initiative shines a spotlight on the importance of fresh drinking water and calls us all to action.
At the Channel Islands Coop, we are proud to support One Water, a brand with a powerful mission. Launched in 2005, One Water sells bottled water in the UK to fund clean water projects worldwide. To date, they have helped provide safe drinking water to over 4 million people.
By choosing One Water when you visit one of our stores, you’re not only staying hydrated but also helping fight water poverty. Every purchase of a refill flask reduces single-use plastic waste and supports life-changing water projects. Together, we can make a difference – because food and water should be accessible to all.
*According to The One Foundation
Why this matters to us
As a cooperative, we are guided by values that go beyond profit. We exist for our members, our customers, and our communities. Food waste isn’t just bad for the environment – it’s unfair, it’s avoidable, and it’s something we have the power to change – as a Society and as a community.
For us, reducing food waste is about doing what’s right. It’s about using our resources wisely, supporting local people, and showing that businesses can and should take responsibility for their impact. That’s why we’re committed to continuing this work, growing our partnerships, and making sure as little food as possible goes to waste.
How you can get involved through your Channel Islands Coop
Food Waste Action Week and World Water Day is a great time for all of us to take small steps that make a big impact. Here’s how you can help:
· Download the Olio app – it’s free, easy to use, and connects you with surplus food in your parish.
· Think before you throw – get creative with leftovers, plan your meals, and store food properly to cut down on waste.
· Look for yellow stickers – help prevent waste by picking up reduced-price food before it goes unsold.
· Spread the word – the more people who get involved, the bigger the impact we can make together.
Looking ahead
We’re teaming up with Co‑ops across the UK to try out smarter, tech‑driven ways to cut waste, from better “reduced to clear” automation to early‑alert discount systems. Bringing in this new tech is another step toward our long‑term goal of halving food waste by 2030, while making sure the choices we make every day stay true to our environmental commitments and cooperative values.
At the Channel Islands Coop, we believe that food should be valued and shared – not wasted. Visit our website for great ideas about how to stop food waste and join us in making a difference. Find out more about our efforts here: channelislands.coop/food/reduce-food-waste and when you visit one of our stores, choose One Water to help reduce plastic waste and fund vital fresh water projects around the globe.
