How to get free food from Tesco under its yellow reduced sticker scheme

In a break from the usual shopping traditions Tesco is about to start giving away some of its food for free to its customers.

The supermarket giant is launching a new scheme which will see certain shoppers bag a few special bargains.

Eagle-eyed consumers browsing the yellow sticker section of the store will soon be able to pick out some which have been reduced in price to zero.

We take a look at the details.

Why is Tesco giving out free food?

Tesco is going to introduce “yellow-sticker” prices of £0 for some food which is in its reduced to clear section.

Usually, the “yellow sticker” food sections means prices reduced by a maximum of 90 per cent of the original price.

But the store has decided to discount further in a drive to cut its food waste and is trialling offering some items, which are reduced to clear, for free.

Tesco told The i Paper it would still be giving some food to charity partners and local groups and staff would also get priority for yellow sticker items reduced earlier in the day.

However, any leftover food marked as “Reduced to Clear” still in stores just before closing time would be available for customers to take for free.

The aim is to stop stores throwing away food at the end of the trading day.

Tesco has set itself a target to cut food waste by 50 per cent by 2025, as part of its net zero bid by 2050.

How can I get free food from Tesco?

The scheme is being piloted in a small number of Tesco Express stores initially before decisions are made about rolling it out on a wider scale.

Shoppers hoping to grab a few of the “yellow sticker” items for free will need to visit the stores after 9.30pm, as they prepare to close. Some remaining items will then be available for customers to check out through the tills at no charge.

A Tesco spokesperson told The i Paper: “We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste.

“In all our stores we offer unsold surplus food to charities and community groups, donating millions of meals each month.

“This trial, in a small number of our Express stores, will allow customers to take any remaining yellow stickered items for free at the end of the day, after they have first been offered to charities and colleagues.”