Aldi has supported charities, community groups and food banks throughout the UK by donating 550,000 meals to people in need this Christmas.
The supermarket paired up its stores with local organisations to make the most of unsold fresh and chilled food after stores closed on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as part of its pledge to donate 1.8 million meals to families experiencing food poverty during November and December.
Around 550,000 meals were donated nationwide – and more than 700 UK causes benefitted from the initiative over the festive period.
The initiative is part of Aldi’s successful partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations. Thanks to this, all of Aldi’s over 950 UK stores now donate surplus food to good causes seven days a week, all year round.
This year’s Christmas donations have helped Aldi to meet its pledge to donate 10 million meals to families in need in 2021 through its partnership with Neighbourly.
Since beginning its partnership with Neighbourly in April 2019, Aldi has donated more than 20 million meals across the UK.
Mary Dunn, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “The festive season is always a hard time for people affected by food poverty, so we are incredibly proud to have supported so many amazing causes over Christmas and New Year.”
Marcus Rashford MBE said: “The festive period has always proved a difficult time for the most vulnerable in society and this year is no exception. Post-COVID 19, the need for support is higher than ever.
“As a founding member of the Child Food Poverty Taskforce, it’s great to see that Aldi continues to take steps to support our children though their food donations programme. The work of Aldi, and of other members, has been a true lifeline for many and I’m proud to stand alongside them to guarantee we reach as many in need as possible this Christmas. Thank you to all involved.”
Aldi has been working with Neighbourly since early 2019. As part of the partnership, Aldi introduced community donation points in all stores last year, offering customers the opportunity to donate any food or household products to local causes all year round.
