**Aldi Launches Major Meal Giveaway to Support Struggling Families This Summer**
In a bold move to tackle food insecurity during the summer holidays, supermarket giant Aldi has pledged to distribute over one million surplus meals to those in need across the UK. This initiative, unveiled earlier this week, aims to provide support to families and individuals who may be facing particular hardship while schools are out.
Throughout the summer months, every Aldi store nationwide will participate in this campaign by teaming up with local charities and food banks. The process will be managed through Neighbourly, a community engagement platform that facilitates the redistribution of surplus food. By channelling unsold, edible stock into the hands of those who need it most, Aldi hopes to reduce waste whilst simultaneously alleviating hunger across British communities.
This commitment forms part of an ongoing relationship with Neighbourly, through which Aldi has already donated in excess of 8.8 million meals this year alone. Such impressive figures underline the rising demand for food assistance, particularly as financial pressures increase for many households. The supermarket expects this demand to peak over the summer, echoing trends from previous years.
Luke Emery, Aldi UK’s National Sustainability Director, highlighted the crucial timing of the project. “The school holidays can place extra strain on families who rely on free school meals during the term,” Mr Emery explained. “By continuing our work with Neighbourly, we aim to ensure that fresh, nutritious food reaches those in need even when other support isn’t available.”
The significance of such efforts is not lost on the partners involved. Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, described the summer break as “one of the busiest periods for food banks and local charities.” He expressed gratitude for Aldi’s ongoing involvement, stating that their donations were a lifeline for “countless families who might otherwise go without.”
Encouraging broad community participation, Aldi is also reminding shoppers that they can personally support local groups by donating at in-store collection points. Customers can contribute non-perishable food items, which will then be distributed along with the supermarket’s surplus stock to food banks and other support organisations.
Furthermore, Aldi’s reach extends beyond its stores. The retailer partners with Company Shop, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household goods, to ensure that usable stock from distribution centres doesn’t go to waste. This collaborative approach maximises the positive impact of Aldi’s surplus management programme.
Charitable groups not currently partnered with Neighbourly but interested in joining the summer food collection scheme are being encouraged to get involved. They can register their interest by contacting the platform directly via email. This open invitation aims to widen the network of charities benefitting from Aldi’s surplus, further expanding the programme’s reach.
As food insecurity remains a pressing challenge across the UK, especially during periods when families lose vital support such as free school meals, schemes like this are warmly welcomed. Aldi’s strategic partnership with organisations like Neighbourly and Company Shop reflects a broader trend among retailers to combine environmental sustainability with tangible social benefits. In doing so, they offer essential relief for households in need while tackling broader issues around food waste. The supermarket is expected to continue its support for communities throughout the year, but this summer’s ambitious million-meal pledge has set the bar for corporate social responsibility in the sector.
For more information on how to donate or participate, individuals and community groups can visit Aldi stores or contact Neighbourly at aldi@neighbourly.com.