Step inside Aldi stores now, and they are fairly wide open. Fresh produce and other sundries are displayed in boxes or on shelves, easily accessible if not at times chaotically picked over by customers.
But a change is coming that will not only give Aldi a more streamlined look but provide a huge offset to carbon emissions within each of the discounter’s supermarkets.
Fridge doors are set to become the standard in new and “newly refurbished” stores, according to the retailer. That will help spare more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
“We are always looking for new ways to minimise our carbon footprint, which is why all our stores already use 100% renewable electricity, and our new stores also utilise natural refrigerants and feature efficient LED lighting,” Mary Dunn, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “Introducing fridge doors is another step on that journey to reduce our energy consumption and we hope that customers enjoy the new, more sustainable shopping experience.”
The supermarket, which has been carbon neutral since January 2019, has already reduced its carbon footprint by more than 55% since 2012 through a number of sustainability initiatives, including the use of solar panels, switching to 100% green electricity and investing in a greener fleet. The latest changes promise to save 20% on energy consumption per supermarket, according to Aldi after they conducted a trial to determine potential offsets.
Veg Power promoting late summer produce at Food Fortnight
Veg Power is combining with Love British Food in an effort to boost vegetable consumption through British Food Fortnight, the UK’s top celebration of British Food and Drink.
Veg Power, the non-for-profit alliance known for championing fresh produce to children though its Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign, said it will be highlighting UK-grown late summer veg such as beans, spinach, sweetcorn, courgettes and beetroot throughout the event, which will take place from 18September through 3 October.
Poppy O’Toole, Tom Hunt and Tom Aitkens have promised to support recipes using these seasonable vegetables which will be donated by organic veg box company Riverford.
“We are delighted to be supporting another organization with similar values and look forward to making British Food Fortnight a great success this year,” says Dan Parker, CEO of Veg Power.
