From Shelf to Solidarity: How Chalkiadakis Is Fighting Food Waste in Retail

As the leading retail chain in Crete, Chalkiadakis Super Market brings decades of experience and community trust into its collaboration with the ROSETTA project. With 42 stores and over 1,900 employees, the company is taking bold, practical steps to reduce food waste through two targeted pilots that link consumer behaviour, pricing strategies, and solidarity initiatives.

Pilot 1: Giving Imperfect Produce a Purpose

In the first pilot, Chalkiadakis is tackling the visual standards that often lead to edible fruits and vegetables being discarded. The supermarket chain introduces price reductions on cosmetically imperfect produce, making it more attractive to consumers while also contributing to affordability. Any unsold surplus is redirected to social kitchens, strengthening the link between food waste reduction and food solidarity.

Pilot 2: Smart Guidance for Meat Storage

The second pilot focuses on consumer behaviour in meat consumption. Chalkiadakis has integrated storage advice and food waste prevention tips into its mobile app and website, directly targeting shoppers of packed pork and chicken products. These micro-interventions aim to extend product shelf life at home and reduce unnecessary disposal.

Chalkiadakis already manages over 95% of its retail waste through recycling or circular processes. Through ROSETTA, the company is deepening its commitment by closing the remaining gap in perishable food waste and co-developing replicable solutions that blend commercial impact with social responsibility.

“From farm to fork, we believe in giving every product—and every person—a second chance.”