There’s a reason why Pret a Manger is everyone’s favorite sandwich shop: They care about their communities. When we learned that the good folks at Pret have partnered with refood for an ongoing food donations program, we were amazed by how much this partnership fosters a great sense of community. Last year alone, more than 20,000 products have been donated from Pret to those who need it most, all thanks to this incredible collaboration with refood.

With eight distinct locations in Kuwait, Pret a Manger is a firm favorite amongst locals. Evenings are usually buzzing at any Pret location, but this isn’t because people are there for their new Pulled Beef and Cheese Toastie and organic Oat Lattes. It’s because the good people at Pret are busy preparing food donations with refood, Kuwait’s first non-profit company dedicated to reducing waste in the food and consumer goods sector. Founded in 2014, refood follows a sustainable model that closes the gap between excess production and people with limited food budgets.

With a strong emphasis on fresh and natural ingredients, the name “Pret a Manger” is French for “ready to eat” and was founded in London in 1983 by Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe as a single iconic shop in Victoria, London.

Pret a Manger offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, and bakery items, all made fresh on-site each day. They focus on natural ingredients, avoiding additives and preservatives. Following a strict ‘made today, gone today’ policy that emphasizes freshness as the driving experience for its valued customers, Pret’s partnership with refood ensures that unsold food offerings at its various locations are donated to those who need it most.

It comes as no surprise for Pret to partner with an entity like refood, as the brand’s continued commitment to the local community stems from an ethos deeply rooted in sustainability and environmental responsibility. They have initiatives to reduce waste, such as donating unsold food to charity at the end of each day and offering discounts to customers who bring reusable cups.

In 2014, Pret started building long-term relationships with farmers and sharing sustainable farming practices through the Pret Coffee Fund. Through The Pret Foundation, they tackle hunger, poverty, and homelessness. Because they try really hard not to throw good food (and hard work) into the bin, donating unsold food is a logical and natural solution.

With Pret’s ongoing donations campaign, refood can then distribute unsold food to the people who need them the most. Since the beginning of the program, Pret and refood have successfully donated more than 20,000 items to people in need in Kuwait. Ensuring that food quality remains paramount throughout the whole process is key because Pret champions freshness in their food operations, so recipients of donated Pret items will not only enjoy a much-needed meal, they also enjoy freshly made goodness, every single time.

Food wastage in Kuwait is estimated at 400,000 tons annually, according to the Food Wastage Index Report for 2021 issued by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). refood collaborates with suppliers who want to reduce waste and improve the industry’s environmental footprint. refood warehouses operate daily, saving tons of excess food and goods from being categorized as waste.

With Ramadan just around the corner, food waste remains top of mind for many in our local communities. This is why this partnership eases the minds of Pret lovers everywhere in Kuwait, ensuring that their favorite spot for fresh food and organic coffee is always doing the right thing. The partnership between Pret A Manger and refood is a testament to the former’s commitment to serving local communities in which they operate.

This year marks the 7th in which refood has played a pivotal role in raising awareness of food waste in Kuwait, its environmental impact and taking concrete action to help fight the problem. This collaboration positively depicts the renowned Pret A Manger ethos, consistently working to change wasteful behavior and encouraging healthier social and cultural values that focus on preserving resources and valuing blessings.

For more information and to find out how you can be part of the food waste solution, follow @pretkw.official and @refoodkw on Instagram.