Tesco-WWF Partnership for Healthy Food Consumption

This year's World Overeating Day falls on July 29 and serves as a wake-up call for the consumerist lifestyles. WWF and Tesco have therefore today launched a unique collaboration to promote affordable and sustainable food consumption in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia in the long term.

World Overeating Day falling on this day means that in less than seven months, mankind has used up the Earth's natural resources for a year. “This means that we need 1.7 Earths to sustain our current way of life, while we only have one planet. So, if we want to secure our future, we need to change the way we live,” a joint statement by the two organizations points out.

It adds that “the size of our ecological footprint is fundamentally determined by how we produce, distribute and consume food. Today, the impact of food production from farm to fork is responsible for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions, while 40% of food produced ends up in the bin. Internationally, 10% of greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to food waste, and food production is a major contributor to biodiversity loss. In East-Central Europe, around 61.5% of natural habitats are under the influence of agriculture.”

Tesco and WWF are therefore now working together to raise awareness of sustainable food consumption habits and to promote healthy living and reduce the environmental impact of food.

"Our food supply is based on nature, but nature is in trouble. Today, World Overeating Day draws attention to the fact that we are literally consuming our future - and much of the problem is caused by the food we grow and eat. That's why I welcome WWF's partnership with Tesco, one of the leading retail chains in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, with the common goal of promoting a shift to sustainable and affordable everyday food consumption in these countries," according to Andreas Beckmann, WWF Director for Central and Eastern Europe.

Commenting on the cooperation, Matt Simister, Tesco's CEO for Central Europe, said he was "delighted that WWF's expertise and dedication will now be supporting our work. We share a common goal of reducing the environmental impact of food and helping the transition to more sustainable food consumption and production. Food choices are key to our health and the health of the planet, and our customers expect us to support them in making these choices. Our partnership with WWF is helping to promote more sustainable food consumption by raising awareness of healthy alternatives and encouraging change from farm to table."