TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate food retailers food waste reduction practices in Germany. The focus is on selling and redistributing agricultural produce with visual impairments and other surplus food items. In addition, drivers and barriers regarding the implementation of both waste reduction practices are explored.Design/methodology/approach In total, 12 in-depth interviews with managerial actors in the food retail sector and a food bank spokesperson were recorded, transcribed and analyzed through a qualitative content analysis.Findings In contrast to organic retailers, conventional retailers were reluctant to include agricultural produce with visual impairments in their product assortments, due to fears of negative consumer reactions. Another obstacle was EU marketing standards for specific produce. All retailers interviewed engaged in redistribution of surplus food. Logistics and the regulatory framework were the main barriers to food redistribution.Originality/value The present study adds to the existing body of literature on food waste reduction practices as it explores selling produce with visual impairments and elaborates on the legal background of food redistribution in German retail. The results are the foundation for providing recommendations to policy makers and charitable food organizations.
VL  - 119
IS  - 12
SN  - 0007-070X
DO  - 10.1108/BFJ-06-2017-0338
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-06-2017-0338
AU  - Hermsdorf David
AU  - Rombach Meike
AU  - Bitsch Vera
PY  - 2017
Y1  - 2017/01/01
TI  - Food waste reduction practices in German food retail
T2  - British Food Journal
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 2532
EP  - 2546
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -