Aldi to donate more than half a million meals to feed struggling families this Christmas

Aldi has been donating unsold food to charity over the past few festive seasons and this year they’re doing the same, but with even more donations than usual.

While usually they donate any unsold food to charity after closing stores on December 24th, this year Aldi will for the first time also donate leftover food after its shuts on December 31st.

All of its stores will remain closed on New Year’s Day to give staff a well-earned break, in which they can spend more time with loved ones.

Michael Ely / Geograph

As a result, the supermarket says it expects to donate a further 200,000 meals throughout the UK, which will make a huge difference to hungry families up and down the country.

Last Christmas Aldi donated around 450,000 meals to various good causes throughout the UK, meaning this year they’ll be dishing out about 650,000 meals to those who need them.

Aldi has also pledged that for every turkey and turkey crown it sells before Christmas, it will donate £1 to the Neighbourly Foundation – a gesture which is expected to raise more than £400,000.

The supermarket is also launching a Community Cupboard initiative this year, again partnering with Neighbourly, which will see it prioritise donations to local community groups that focus on feeding children over the Christmas, February and Easter school breaks.

David Clark / Geograph

Luke Peech, Aldi UK’s managing director of corporate responsibility, said: “Access to fresh, affordable food should be a right, not a privilege, which is why we’re doing what we can to help those in need.

“Tackling food poverty is an issue that the country and our store colleagues are really behind, so it’s great to be extending our programme – particularly over the festive period and upcoming school holidays.”

Neighbourly’s Steve Butterworth added: “Aldi already donates more than 650,000 meals a month across the UK but is stepping this up over Christmas and New Year.

“The festive season is usually busy for the region’s charities and food banks, but this year even more so, so the donations will definitely be welcomed.”