Woolworths shopper hits out at 'beyond wrong' display

An Adelaide woman has hit out at Woolworths over a “beyond wrong” display in one of its supermarkets.

“Read your statement on how committed you were to removing waste,” she wrote on Facebook.

“Really? Why I don’t buy fruit and veg from you. This display is beyond wrong.”

The woman included photos showing zucchini, mini cucumbers, apples, bananas, pears and tomatoes all wrapped in plastic on different shelves appearing to be at Woolworths.

In a response to the post, Woolworths acknowledged plastic is an “important issue”.

“We're working hard to address products in our range that are over-packaged and currently have trials in stores to reduce plastic packaging,” the supermarket wrote in its response.

“While some packaging​ will continue, to preserve the life or extend the shelf life of a product, we're committed to actively pursuing packaging alternatives.”

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Another angry shopper vented their frustration over Woolworths’ plastic packaging of fresh produce last month.

“What the f*** are you doing Woolworths? Apples last for days in their skin,” he wrote.

The shopper added the supermarket was “out of touch”.

Retail expert Professor Gary Mortimer, from Queensland University of Technology, told Yahoo News Australia in November packaged fruit and vegetables was often cheaper than loose produce.

“The reason why we see a variance is the cost to fill loose fruit and vegetables is higher than putting say 20 containers of one-kilogram boxes onto a shelf,” Professor Mortimer said.

“Stocking shelves with loose fruit and vege is a difficult, slow process.”

A Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia the chain understands “many of our customers want us to reduce plastic packaging in our stores and we’re working hard to do just that.”

“Over the last two years, we have removed around 1000 tonnes of plastic from our fruit and vegetables and bakery ranges.

“We have also rolled out REDcycle facilities in all our stores, which allows customers to return soft plastics, including fruit and veg packaging, to our stores for recycling.

“We recognise there is more to do, and will continue to look for new ways to reduce plastic packaging across our range.

“As we do this, we will be careful to monitor the impact on food waste.”

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