Lidl GB is linking up with a free goods app as it looks to scale up its redistribution of surplus food.

Through its partnership with charity funder Neighbourly it is working with Olio, the app that promotes items being given away or lent, including offering free surplus good.

The move is part of the supermarket’s aim of reducing its food waste by 70% by 2030.

A 'Food Waste Hero' network is being created through the app and will be managed by Neighbourly. This will see ‘food waste heroes’ collect surplus products in the evenings that are then shared with those in need living nearby.

The scheme launched last week across 20 stores in London and Northern England as a trial.

If successful the supermarket hopes it will redistribute 5,000 tones of food, which is the equivalent of almost 12m meals, each year.

Lidl hopes to roll it out nationwide by the end of the year.

“At Lidl GB, we believe that no good food should ever go to waste,” said the supermarket’s head of sustainability Matt Juden.

“While we have already made massive strides in reducing our surplus, this extension of our Neighbourly-managed programme allows us to have even more impact.

“It ensures that we are reaching every corner of the communities we serve, making sure edible food stays on plates and out of the bin.”

Olio co-founder Saasha Celestial-One added: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with Neighbourly and Lidl. We’re looking forward to working together to maximise the amount of edible surplus that can reach local communities from Lidl stores, and making sure as little food as possible goes to waste.

“We’re excited to see the impact of the trial, and we know our volunteers will be thrilled to have the chance to rescue Lidl food via our app.”

Over the last decade Lidl has donated 50m meals through its link up with Neighbourly in the UK.

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