ALDI Australia has come to the aid of communities facing the detrimental impacts of flooding in South East Queensland and New South Wales through the donation of essential food and groceries.
ALDI has committed to donating $250,000 worth of food and essential goods to its national food charity partner, Foodbank. From Saturday 5 March, the supermarket will also accept customer donations for Foodbank at the cash registers of its stores nationwide.
ALDI Australia’s Director Corporate Responsibility, Daniel Baker, said that it is imperative to support the communities impacted by recent weather events, with many Australians being left without access to vital supplies as a result of the devastation.
“As a retailer with a strong presence throughout the Eastern Seaboard, we have a responsibility to step up and support our fellow communities when they are in need. The recent floods have devastated many communities in which we operate, with many of our own store teams directly impacted by these events. It is our hope that these communities are able to recover quickly and that food and essentials are distributed to those who need it most right now,” said Mr Baker.
Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, says with a growing demand for food relief in communities impacted by flooding, ALDI’s contribution will make a big difference.
“ALDI continues to show up when Australians are in need and the recent flood events have been no different. ALDI has been a highly valued and reliable partner to Foodbank over the last 12 years and continues to provide us with much-needed meals and non-food essentials for Australians in need,” said Ms Casey.
ALDI stores and distribution centres across Australia are linked to food rescue charity partners to support those struggling to feed their families in their local communities. ALDI has donated over 23,932 tonnes of food, the equivalent of 47 million meals, to people in need since forming partnerships with OzHarvest in 2016, SecondBite in 2016 and Foodbank in 2009.
True to ALDI’s Good Different mantra, the supermarket has also supported those doing it tough during the COVID-19 crisis by donating over 9025 tonnes in food donations – the equivalent of over 18 million meals – as well as more than 108 tonnes of non-food items throughout 2020 and 2021 to help Australia’s most vulnerable communities.
To provide additional support during the pandemic, ALDI previously donated $250,000 in-kind to Foodbank as well as initiated a national food support program, enabling Foodbank to provide a further 2.5 million meals and maintain a sustainable food supply to support Australians impacted by food insecurity.
A win-win for the community and the environment
ALDI’s food donation effort is not only helping to feed vulnerable people facing hardship but it is also reducing the business’ impact on the environment by contributing to its zero waste to landfill by 2025 commitment which includes a pledge to sending zero food waste to landfill by 2023.
Currently, Australia wastes more than 7.6 million tonnes of food every year costing our economy over $36.6 billion annually[1]. This food waste commitment puts ALDI in step with the Australian Government’s National Waste Policy Action Plan, which aims to halve the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030.
“Our zero food waste commitment will see us expand our food rescue program and segregated waste collection at stores. We are proud to be repurposing surplus food to give back to communities while also operating more sustainably,” continued Mr Baker.
For more information on ALDI’s food rescue efforts and environmental initiatives please visit https://corporate.aldi.com.au/en/corporate-responsibility/