**Aldi Launches Major Free Meal Drive for Families Facing Summer Hardship**
As schools break up for the summer, supermarket giant Aldi has announced an ambitious scheme to donate over one million meals to families in need across the UK. The initiative seeks to tackle the rising demand on foodbanks witnessed every year during the holiday period, when many families lose access to free school meal programmes.
The nationwide campaign will see every Aldi store partner with nearby charities and foodbanks using the Neighbourly platform, a community giving scheme that connects surplus food with those who need it most. The retailer’s commitment this summer comes on the heels of a substantial 8.8 million meals already provided to vulnerable individuals since the beginning of the year.
Typically, the summer holidays can be especially tough on families experiencing financial difficulties, as children lose access to the school-run lunch programmes that they may rely on during term time. Charitable organisations in the sector report a noticeable spike in requests for support at this time of year—a trend Aldi’s campaign aims to address directly.
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, underscored the importance of this mission, stating: “We’re proud to stand by important community causes this summer. Our goal is to ensure that nutritious, fresh food reaches those who might otherwise go without while schools are out.”
Neighbourly’s chief executive, Steve Butterworth, shared his thoughts on the value of such partnerships during what is regarded as their busiest season. He noted that Aldi’s ongoing donations help thousands of charities and foodbanks provide critical aid. “Every summer is extremely challenging for the families we support. Generous schemes like Aldi’s truly make a tangible difference at the local level,” he commented.
Aldi is also calling on its customers to play their part. Shoppers can donate non-perishable food items via specially marked community collection points within stores. This approach enables local groups, foodbanks, and community projects to receive additional support directly from the public, alongside Aldi’s own donations.
Charities, community initiatives, and foodbanks interested in benefitting from Aldi’s surplus food programme are encouraged to connect with Neighbourly if they have not done so already. By emailing aldi@neighbourly.com, organisations can register and arrange regular collections from local Aldi branches throughout the summer.
Beyond store-level giving, Aldi operates in partnership with Company Shop, the UK’s leading redistributor of excess food and household items. Through this collaboration, surplus products from Aldi’s vast network of regional distribution centres are diverted from waste and find their way to families who need them most.
This multifaceted approach to community support underscores the critical role supermarkets can play in combatting food insecurity, not only through direct donations but by empowering both customers and partner charities to join the effort. In a period marked by rising living costs and persistent uncertainty, Aldi’s latest initiative sets a notable example for businesses and individuals alike.
As the summer break extends into August, the need for continued support is clear. Organisations and families wishing to take part or seek assistance are urged to get in touch early, ensuring as much support as possible reaches those hit hardest by holiday hunger. It remains to be seen how many families will benefit from this latest drive, but hopes remain high that, by acting together, communities can make a meaningful dent in food poverty this summer.