US retailer Safeway significantly increases Northern California food donations by deploying solution from Divert

Safeway, which is operated by Albertsons Companies, has announced results from the implementation of Divert’s solution to reduce wasted food and accelerate food recovery efforts.

In three months, Safeway increased its food donations by 20%, reducing the edible food going to waste by an average of 1,252 pounds per store per month.

“We are committed to help put food on the table to nourish our neighbours in need,” says Karl Schroeder, President of Safeway’s Northern California Division.

“Divert is a critical partner in helping us increase our food recovery efforts, sharing strategies and key insights across our business to drive immediate results. We value their tailored, collaborative approach to food recovery.”

California businesses are striving to comply with the state’s Senate Bill (SB) 1383 legislation to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% and increase edible food recovery statewide by 2025.

Safeway turned to Divert in early 2024 to implement solutions to optimise its wasted food prevention and food recovery to feed more people in need. In doing so, it has been able to significantly increase its donations to the local Alameda County Community Food Bank in just a few months.

“One in four residents in our community is experiencing or at-risk of hunger,” says Alameda County Community Food Bank, which distributes food to 400 food pantries and other non-profits in the California Bay Area.

“Divert and Safeway share our commitment to tackling food insecurity and pursuing a hunger free community.”

“The collective work with these incredible partners has made a significant impact on increasing our food donations, helping us provide nearly one million meals worth of food to our community every week.”

“Together we are working toward a more nourished Alameda County where no child or adult needs to worry where their next meal is coming from.”

Divert’s field team works with Safeway and Alameda County Community Food Bank employees, including implementing waste reduction and food recovery strategies tailored to the store’s operation needs.

At the start of the programme, Divert analysed Safeway’s current donation performance and then used its proprietary data to uncover new opportunities for waste reduction.

Divert’s diversion specialists are able to identify and facilitate joint initiatives between Safeway and its donation partners, creating a customised optimisation playbook to empower them to increase food recovery efforts.

The pair can strategically execute campaigns at the stores with the greatest food recovery potential within each division, continually measuring performance to track progress.

“To truly have an impact on the wasted food crisis, we need to collectively work together across the value chain,” says Ben Kuethe Oaks, VP of Customer Solutions & Success, Divert.

“Safeway is at the forefront of this effort and an example to Californians of how to effectively bring together technology, infrastructure, and policy to significantly reduce organic waste and get food to communities in need.”