Shoppers across the UK are uncovering what's being dubbed a 'secret' Tesco initiative that provides completely free food in the late evening. The scheme, which has sparked surprise and delight on social media, allows customers to take home unsold yellow-stickered items at no cost after a specific time.
How The Late-Night Free Food Scheme Works
The process is remarkably simple for those in the know. In participating Tesco Express stores, from 9:30pm until closing time, any remaining reduced-to-clear items marked with a yellow sticker and the code 'CS' become free. Customers simply scan the items at the self-checkout or till, and the full reduction is applied automatically, bringing the price to zero.
The discovery gained traction online after a social media user posted a picture of a store sign explaining the policy, questioning if they were "out of the loop." The sign clearly outlined the offer, confirming the free items were there for the taking. Another shopper, sharing their experience on Reddit, expressed amazement after leaving a store with three pizzas, two sandwiches, and blueberry muffins for free, having been informed of the offer by a helpful staff member just before 10pm.
Tesco's Wider War on Waste
This trial is not an isolated act of generosity but a strategic part of Tesco's long-term commitment to slashing food waste. The supermarket giant has already made significant strides, achieving a 45% reduction in food waste across its own operations since the 2016/17 financial year. Impressively, only 0.35% of the food it handled last year ended up as waste.
The company follows a strict food waste hierarchy. First, surplus food is offered to charities like FareShare and to Tesco colleagues. This late-night free food trial acts as a final step to ensure even more edible food is consumed rather than discarded. A Tesco spokesperson explained the thinking behind the pilot: "We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste. 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."
Customer Reaction and Future Implications
The reaction from shoppers who have benefited has been overwhelmingly positive, often characterised by disbelief and gratitude. The scheme turns the routine chore of late-night shopping into a potential windfall, while directly addressing the environmental and ethical issue of food waste at a local level.
While currently a limited trial, its popularity and successful alignment with Tesco's sustainability goals could pave the way for a wider rollout. It represents a tangible example of how businesses can engage customers directly in their sustainability efforts, creating a win-win situation where shoppers save money and less food ends up in landfill.
