Aesop once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” It’s a noble sentiment, one that many of us would agree with in principle. However, the reality seems a bit more complicated, as the U.K. grocery chain Tesco learned recently, after facing criticism for making changes to its donation policy.

Previously, Tesco donated any unused food to charitable organizations dedicated to reducing hunger, providing the resources to these organizations each morning. The organizations then distributed the food to needy consumers throughout the day. But in May 2024, Tesco announced that all its food donations would be provided only in the evenings, after its retail stores close. In so doing, Tesco could better integrate its charitable efforts with its daily store operations, gaining efficiency and operational flexibility.

But as much as the new collection schedule makes Tesco’s operations easier, it makes the operations of the charities that depend on its donations more difficult. Most charities lack the resources such a schedule requires; they do not have enough volunteers who can pick up and distribute perishable items at night, while they are still fresh, nor do they have sufficient, large-scale facilities to store the items safely overnight.

Due to the vast scale of Tesco’s food donation program, many charities across the United Kingdom are reporting significant decreases in their food resources, resulting in widespread food insecurity and hunger among the vulnerable populations that they serve. Some organizations have resorted to purchasing food, which adds substantial, likely unsustainable financial strain to their operations. For those without the funds to buy food to distribute, many have had to turn the clients they serve away.

Thus a debate has emerged: Critics argue that Tesco’s new policy prioritizes store efficiency over the needs of vulnerable people, and further that it was introduced quickly, without input from its charitable partners. Tesco instead asserts that the evening collections have societal benefits, such as allowing for donations of chilled food items while they are still viable, which means that the viable amount being donated increases.

This debate underscores the challenges surrounding corporate social responsibilities, especially toward local communities. For-profit organizations have the right to prioritize operational efficiencies, but doing so, at least in Tesco’s case, seems antithetical to its responsible claims, such as its stated waste reduction goals. Perhaps in its effort to resolve the debate, Tesco has begun to explore other avenues for its donations, such as by reaching out to charitable groups that possess the resources needed for nighttime distribution, as well as using a third-party app called Olio to distribute food directly to consumers.

Discussion Questions

1. What is Tesco’s corporate social responsibility to its community? Are the changes to its donation policy acceptable?
2. As a consumer, would you be willing to shop at Tesco, following its policy change?
3. If you were overseeing Tesco’s donation program, what amendments to its new policy might you recommend?

Sources: “Charities Criticise Tesco’s Evening-Only Food Collection Policy,” Business Matters, May 14, 2024; James Rodger, “Tesco Rolls Out New ‘Evening Only’ Rules and Shoppers Say ‘it’s Big Shock’,” Yahoo News, May 14, 2024; OpenAI ChatGPT, “Assistance with Research on Tesco’s Food Collection Policy and Related CSR Issues,” ChatGPT, July 28, 2024; Sarah Butler, “Charities Attack Tesco Rules for Evening-Only Collection of Unwanted Food,” The Guardian, May 14, 2024.