Abel & Cole: whole chain food waste reduction

As part of the UK’s Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, Abel & Cole engaged with its carrot suppliers to evaluate surplus and waste from farm to receipt by customers. Whilst data was limited there was sufficient knowledge to identify key hotspots and to propose and implement solutions with the main aims of reducing waste and improving profitability. The Whole Chain Plan (WCP) process provided the necessary focus to demonstrate the need for change. It is anticipated that the effectiveness of the solutions and success of the project will be demonstrated by improved data, reduced waste a reduction in customer complaints and ultimately an increase in profitability. 

The solutions identified are readily transferable to other products and suppliers.

”This project has highlighted to me the degree to which we can all be just accepting of high levels of hidden waste within the chain that has a dramatic impact on all stakeholders. More surprising still is how some very simple low cost changes can have a big impact and makes me wonder where else we could be making those changes”.

Peter Bevan, Senior Agronomist, Abel & Cole