Aldi is stepping up its efforts to combat food waste and hunger this holiday season by offering free Christmas dinners to low-income families across the UK. The supermarket has partnered with Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food, to provide more than 2,000 free Christmas lunches through its social enterprise, Community Shop.
This initiative is part of Aldi's commitment to reduce food waste and support those who are struggling financially. Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, highlighted the success of this collaboration, stating, "For the past two years, we’ve partnered with Company Shop Group to redistribute surplus stock from our Regional Distribution Centres, making our groceries even more affordable for Community Shop members." This year, Community Shop members will enjoy three-course Christmas meals at their local stores on December 17, 18, and 19.
Adding to the festive spirit, British supplier Bernard Matthews, with whom Aldi has been working since 2012, will provide Christmas turkeys for the meals. Both Aldi and Community Shop see this effort as not just about saving food but also spreading joy during what can be the most financially stressful time of year. Gary Stott, Executive Chairman at Community Shop, expressed gratitude for Aldi’s generosity, noting: "Many of our members are feeling the pressures of Christmas, and events like these not only spread festive cheer but also bring communities together during challenging times."
This approach of tackling food waste aligns with other innovative strategies being implemented around the UK. Notably, the app Too Good to Go is gaining popularity as it provides users with discounted food parcels filled with items from various brands, helping to prevent perfectly good food from ending up in landfills.
According to Mette Lykke, CEO of Too Good to Go, the Parcels service aims to alleviate concerns around grocery costs and food waste. Launched earlier this month, the service delivers parcels of ambient goods—staples like coffee, tea, and pasta—straight to consumers' doors, showcasing how food waste can also translate to savings for these users. Lykke explained: "We really want to fit [the service]into consumers’ daily lives. People can get items they need straight away and also stock up on other items.”
The numbers behind food waste are staggering: nearly 12 million tonnes of food are wasted annually at the manufacturing level across Europe, highlighting the necessity for such interventions. Lykke emphasized the environmental benefits of the program, asserting, "Each of our roughly 5.8kg parcels is estimated to save around 14.5kg of CO2 emissions."
Another model of combating both hunger and food waste can be seen with the Denver-based nonprofit We Don’t Waste. Established by Arlan Preblud, this organization has taken proactive steps to redistribute food waste since 2009, rescuing around 220 million servings of food and supporting more than 100 local hunger relief organizations.
We Don’t Waste’s operational model stresses the importance of not just rescuing food but also customizing the food supply based on the needs of partner nonprofits. Executive Director Kyle Endres noted, "We want to be in partnership with the nonprofits… if we didn't have them, it would be a lot harder to find homes for all the food we rescue." The organization’s diverse range of food donations—including items from local farms, bakeries, and even corporate events—allows it to cater to different dietary preferences, ensuring food is effectively used.
Continuing their mission, We Don’t Waste manages to divert food from landfills, preventing significant greenhouse gas emissions and conserving water resources. Last year, it estimated diverting food from landfills prevented over 10 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and saved nearly 506 million gallons of water used to produce it. This grassroots effort feeds directly back to the community, often easing the burden for families struggling with hunger.
Angie Neslin from the Heart and Hand Center remarked on the impact of We Don’t Waste: “Our food programs have been instrumental in allowing them to stay housed because they don't have to choose between paying rent and paying for food when they can supplement their pantry through nutritious offerings.” The model not only feeds bellies but nourishes community bonds as well.
The private sector, government involvement, and innovative nonprofit models are all part of the larger ecosystem necessary to combat the persistent issues of food waste and food insecurity. Programs like Aldi’s Christmas dinners, Too Good to Go’s delivery service, and We Don’t Waste’s active food recovery practices represent collaborative efforts to tackle these interconnected challenges.
Unfortunately, challenges remain. Both We Don’t Waste and Too Good to Go must address volunteer shortages and community demand. Endres mentioned there’s still significant demand for food assistance, evidenced by the waiting list of nonprofits eager to receive food help. This emphasizes the necessity for continued awareness and support surrounding food insecurity and advocating for sustainable practices.
With every festive dinner served and every parcel delivered, these initiatives remind us of the power of community and collaboration. The holiday season, often marked by excess, becomes more meaningful as individuals and organizations come together to tackle these pressing issues, ensuring food waste is mitigated, and hunger's harsh reality is faced head-on. By focusing on partnerships and innovative solutions, communities are not just feeding their neighbors; they’re also fostering compassion and resilience within their circles.