The German retailer Rewe recently advertised that from September at Billa, Merkur and Adeg naturally grown vegetables would be available again. A good development, because during the past period more and more news was published from which it was made clear that foodstuff dealers destroy tons and tons of 'second class' vegetables, although these vegetables, apart from an imperfect appearance, are all right. The Austrian website 'tirol.orf.at mentions that up to now nothing has changed in this way of behaving.
With the promotion "Verwendung statt Verschwendung" (use instead of wasting) the Rewe group wanted to sharpen the awareness for quality of the local foodstuff and develop a "counter model against the throw away culture" as announced. On Facebook hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts for this idea reported immediately - only the good intention has not as yet been realized.
'tirol.orf.at' announced that the packers of Billa, Merkur and Adeg still only have top-class vegetables available. When inquiring in the shops salesmen had not even heard about the announced promotion. Also the growers, who according to Rewe, should receive the profits from this promotion, have not as yet noticed any changes. Still many tons of vegetables are being destroyed daily, which do not conform to the requirements of the supermarkets.
After a request for comments a Rewe spokesperson announced that it is all a misunderstanding. The announced promotion starts only at the end of September. That is also the reason, that the growers are not as yet in a position to sell their 'second class vegetables' in the supermarkets. In addition it was only meant to be a 'seasonal promotion' and an 'occasional promotion', which will not take place in all branches in any case.
