Sainsbury's is opening its first overnight drive-through where it will be giving away free food - but there's a catch.
The site, which is called The Flourish Fuelling Station, is only open for three nights on Wednesday 25, Thursday 26, and Friday 27 from 5pm to 8am as the supermarket is now only testing the idea.
The supermarket says if successful, it may explore providing further solutions to offer hot food options during unsociable hours in the future.
The drive-thru is based the Sainsbury’s Petrol Station, London Colney, St Albans AL2 1AB.
Sainsbury's says it is looking for a way to help overnight shift workers have access to "hot and healthy" meals.
The new overnight drive-through, which is also accessible for walk-ups, will be providing the free food from the supermarket's new Flourish range.
The complete range features over 65 products which include both hot and cold food, with prices ranging from £1 to £4 normally.
The new food options will be available to buy across all Sainsbury's stores from today.
The whole new range includes dishes such as:
Hot
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Mexican Style Beef Chilli
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Salmon with New Potatoes & Veg Medley
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Italian Style Roasted Vegetable Pot (V)
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Roast Butternut Squash Risotto (V)
Cold
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Vegan Bhaji & Rainbow Slaw Salad (Ve)
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Veggie Garden Frittata (V)
Snacks
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Chickpea & Black Pepper Crackers (V)
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Beetroot Houmous (Vegan)
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Gut Health Yogurt (V)
Drinks
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Energise Infusion Tea (Vegan)
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Calm Infusion Tea (Vegan)
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Energy Smoothie(Vegan)
- Sainsbury’s Flourish Mind Smoothie(Vegan)
Sainsbury's says the reason behind the opening of the drive-through, was because its research had found that 79% of night shift workers said they had "unhealthy eating patterns" due to overnight working.
The big four supermarket's research also found over a third of night shift workers with poor diets claim unhealthy food being easier to access is one of the main culprits for these eating habits.
As a result, they are relying on unhealthy snacks, caffeine and sugar during working hours.
Claire Hughes, Sainsbury’s Director of Product and Innovation, said: “It is a shame that night shift workers don't have the same access to healthy, balanced meals as those working a regular nine to five, particularly as these eating habits are causing them to feel tired, whilst not keeping them full.
“We hope that Sainsbury’s new Flourish range will help to address that and we hope it makes it easier not just for shift workers, but for everyone to find solutions for convenient healthy eating.”
