The major new platform tackling food waste

A major new platform to help reduce food waste is being trialled and set to be launched by some of the UK’s leading brands.

Co-op and Microsoft – supported by technology consultancy BJSS and Team ITG – have created Caboodle, a not-for-profit digital platform that enables supermarkets, cafés and restaurants to connect with community groups and volunteers to redistribute surplus food.

In the UK, around 1.1 million tonnes of food goes to waste across the food retail and hospitality sector annually. And while many are working hard to help combat food waste, the process remains tough for community groups.  

Tell me more about it...

Built on Microsoft’s Power Platform technology, Caboodle aims to create a single place where food retailers and businesses across the hospitality sector can connect with volunteers and community groups in every city, town and village in the UK, helping to share food when and where it is needed.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Interim CEO of the Co-op said: “We’re currently trialling caboodle in over 100 food stores and the results we’re seeing so far are incredible. We’ll be rolling it out across our entire estate next month and hope that all other retailers and businesses within hospitality will see the benefit too.  

“The more organisations use Caboodle the simpler and more effective it will be for volunteers and community groups to gain access to good food.”

Who can use it?

The platform, which is currently being trialled in Co-op's food stores in Northern Ireland, Milton Keynes and London goes live in July 2022 across a further 2,500 food stores. Community groups outside of these areas can register now to be notified of when Caboodle is operating in their area at group.thecaboodle.co.uk.

It’s open to charities and community groups of all kinds, from food banks and family support networks to youth groups, schools and more.  

For supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, Caboodle will mean they’ll be able to share their surplus food online daily in an easier and more cost-effective way, using live notifications to alert charities when more slots are available.  

Meanwhile, for community groups they’ll save time by having the opportunity to book and schedule slots, receive live notifications when new slots are available and gain access to volunteers easily via a digital noticeboard.

How will it work?

Unlike other systems in place currently, community groups won’t have to race to log on daily to book their collection slots. Slots will be available indefinitely and community groups will be able to skip days or weeks depending on demand.  

Caboodle will also highlight volunteering opportunities through its online noticeboard. People who want to volunteer to help redistribute food can enter their postcode to find a local group they’d like to work with to make a difference.

It's hoped that Caboodle will even encourage the creation of new food charities by making surplus food so readily available for sharing.

Clare Barclay, CEO of Microsoft UK commented: "One of the best things about Caboodle is not just the impact it will have, but also that it came from a chance conversation between a Microsoft employee and a Co-op store manager about how to stop good food going to waste. Low code development using the Microsoft Power Platform, means anyone can turn great ideas into real solutions."

Inspired to act?

VOLUNTEER: Keep in the loop with the platform so you can find out about volunteering opportunities. 

BE A PART OF THE CHANGE: Find out ways to reduce food waste in your own home with Love Food, Hate Waste.