K-Citymarket in Pirkkala implements innovative strategy to cut food waste by over 30%

Pirkkalan K-Citymarket has devised an effective strategy to reduce food waste by establishing a dedicated store for surplus food located right next to the main entrance. This idea originated from one of the store’s employees and was enthusiastically embraced by store owner Petri Putila, who reports that food waste has decreased by over 30% compared to the same period last year.

The separate surplus food store simplifies product management and visibility, as typically marked-down items are often blended within other products. Putila noted the success of this initiative was somewhat unexpected, with daily customer numbers ranging between 200 and 400. Regular shopper Eila Heikkilä appreciates the convenience of having surplus items all in one place, occasionally discovering new products to try.

Tero Paananen from Tampere believes that having a dedicated area has increased his family’s consumption of surplus food, allowing for quicker selections during shopping. Janita Vierelä often purchases bread and fruits from the surplus section, and recently discovered chicken packs that can be frozen.

Putila highlighted significant reductions in waste from the fruit and vegetable sections, where imperfect but edible items are gathered into separate bins. Customers have reported enjoying the opportunity to explore new fruits and vegetables they had previously overlooked.

As food prices rise, buying marked-down items is increasingly seen as a smart environmental choice. The store’s meat, fish, and poultry sections see the quickest turnover, with some items being marked down significantly to eliminate waste. Putila aims to halve food waste by 2025, setting a more ambitious target than the UN’s goal of 2030.