A new frozen foods supermarket has launched its first two stores in the North West - and has plans for another 30 sites across the 海角视频.
Oops has opened shops in Preston and Bolton, aiming to bring a new focus to the industry by selling surplus foods that would otherwise go to landfill when it is still edible.
It currently working with major food producers including Birds Eye Pizza and Moy Park to reduce their food surplus - a problem that can occur due to over-production, delists, labelling errors or goods having "slight imperfections".
The next two Oops stores are set to open in St Helens and Warrington ahead of Christmas.
The brand, from King Parrot Frozen Food, was launched after it was revealed 1.9m tonnes are being wasted by the food industry every year - 250,000 of which are still edible.
Elaine Stevens, technical manager at Oops, said: "We have to stop sending perfectly good food to waste simply because it has an imperfection on the packaging or there has been an error in the manufacturing process and it no longer complies with retailer’s specifications.
“Oops provides another option for manufacturers and retailers to stop their food waste going to landfill and help feed more people in crisis in our communities. Every item we buy, we give a new lease of life to.
"At Oops we fully understand food manufacturing, supply chain and retail processes and the challenges within them."
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Other retailers currently working with the firm include Midland Bacon, Agristo, Rolli and Shires to reduce their food surplus.
Chris Cox, CEO of Midland Bacon said: “We’re proud to be part of an expanding portfolio of manufacturing and retail partners that are truly committed to reducing landfill, helping more low-income households feed their families and delivering great food at the right price.
“Oops offers a service that ensures all removal of our current packaging and any or all intellectual property rights prior to selling products whilst also disposing of all the packaging in accordance with the appropriate Waste and Retailer standards.”
Oops said it now wants more manufacturers and the retailers in the 海角视频 to start conversations and work together to explore other ways of reducing waste through increased redistribution.
Noel Davis, CEO at Oops, added: “Now is the perfect time to act, as the impacts of COVID-19 and a second lockdown are felt across the country, more and more families are struggling with access to affordable, nutritious food. We are here to help deliver sustainable solutions to this challenge - it is crucial that at every stage of the food chain we find ever more effective ways to collaborate. We are offering a long-term solution, not a short-term fix.”