Over the coming festive season, more than 2,000 Christmas lunches will be provided to low-income communities across the UK, thanks to the collaboration between Aldi and the Company Shop Group.
The discount retailer Aldi, alongside the surplus food redistributor Company Shop Group, is set to offer over 2,000 Christmas meals to those in need this December. This initiative, part of a broader partnership that began in 2022, aims to utilise surplus stock from Aldi’s regional distribution centres to benefit communities across the country.
Through this partnership, the surplus items are sold at reduced prices throughout the year to Community Shop members. This festive season, however, the focus shifts to a three-course Christmas meal, available for Community Shop members at their local stores on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of December.
The endeavour is supported by the British supplier Bernard Matthews, who will be contributing the Christmas turkeys for the initiative. Luke Emery, Aldi UK’s national sustainability director, spoke on the initiative, emphasising the importance of making festive celebrations affordable: “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 is our second year supporting the Christmas lunch and we’re going to be providing even more free festive dinners to those in need. The festive season can be expensive, but this initiative allows members to celebrate without worrying about the associated cost.”
Gary Stott, chairman of the Community Shop, also highlighted the positive impact of the programme, stating, “We’re incredibly grateful to Aldi for its continued generosity. 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 initiative reflects a significant effort to alleviate the financial pressure of the Christmas season for low-income families, providing both festive cheer and necessary support during challenging times.
