Food waste

Phood Solutions
In 2023 we partnered with Phood Solutions to more precisely track and reduce food waste on our deli hot bars. Through the use of a scale, computer vision and artificial intelligence, Phood allows our deli team members to quickly and easily scan and weigh food as it’s added to the food bar and then again before any food is discarded. Utilizing Phood’s robust reporting, we can make necessary adjustments to our daily food offerings to ensure significantly less food is wasted by providing our customers with the right food offerings at the right time.

Food donations
Each year we donate more than three million pounds of food to Second Harvest// Heartland through their Food Rescue Program. The Second Harvest Heartland Retail Food Rescue fleet collects produce, meat and dairy items along with packaged grocery products. This program helps our neighbors in need and keeps food out of the landfills.

Food recycling
Food that isn’t consumable for humans is donated to local farmers who use the food to feed pigs. We donate approximately 2.3 million pounds of food annually.

Dough recycling
Unused or inconsumable dough from our production facility is donated to local farmers who use the dough to feed livestock.

Cooking oil recycling
Used cooking oil from our production facilities and in-store delis is recycled into bio-diesel.

Organics recycling.
Twenty seven Lunds & Byerlys locations have a dry organics recycling program, which includes food scraps, non-recyclable paper (like napkins, paper towels and facial tissue) as well as certified compostable products. One Lunds & Byerlys stores has a full organics program, which includes all compostable food waste, food scraps and applicable non-recyclable paper products. Organics recycling removes these products from the waste stream and results in nutrient-rich compost.