Discount grocer Aldi has urged charity groups, food rescue organisations and Australian farmers to collect unsold Christmas food to help people struggling in the wake of Covid.
The supermarket giant is inviting companies or organisations that want to be involved to join its charity program, with applications accepted until December 9.
“We are committed to doing the right thing in every aspect of our operations and understand our responsibility to the environment and the community.,” Aldi said on its website.
“More specifically, we have a number of programs in place to help combat the issue of unnecessary waste being sent to landfill. This includes a robust food rescue program, where every Aldi store is partnered with at least one food rescue charity partner.”
Last year, the grocer donated more than 10 million meals and 34,000kg of products to its charity partners. Aldi said it was able to cut the impact on the environment and help give meals and non-food essentials to vulnerable people in the community. Food partners include Oz Harvest and Foodbank.
The Foodbank Hunger Report 2020 says almost three in 10 Australians who are experiencing food insecurity did not have the same problem before the Covid-19 pandemic. Now there are more Australians struggling to put food on their tables.
“No one should ever have to go without food and Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for vulnerable Australians struggling to feed their families,” said Michael Davidson, GM – national supply chain, at Foodbank. “It should be a season for celebrating and connecting with our loved ones. Aldi’s Christmas food rescue drive will be indispensable in ensuring more Australians have access to food over the holidays.”
Shoppers can donate a $10 Camp Quality contribution to Aldi which is at the gift card stand in supermarkets from November 30 to December 24. The proceeds from the Camp Quality bauble will go to children who have cancer so they can attend the camps. Aldi will match the customer donations up to $100,000. Grocery store staff can also donate and Aldi will match all their donations as well.
Furthermore, Australians can support Camp Quality as they purchase Charity Christmas Cards for $3.99 or a Wall Calendar for $4.99 from Special Buys. The grocery will donate 75 cents to Camp Quality to reach $1 million every year for the next three years. In early 2020, Aldi partnered with Camp Quality for three years and pledged $1.5 million in donations to help raise additional funds for the children suffering from cancer.
