Aldi is marking the season of giving by donating free roast dinners to people living in low-income communities across the UK this Christmas.
Between Tuesday 16th December and Thursday 18th December, the supermarket will provide Christmas lunches at 15 Community Shops across the UK, giving people the chance to enjoy a festive meal free of charge.
The initiative is part of Aldi’s ongoing partnership with Community Shop, a social enterprise that is part of Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household goods.
Community Shop members will be able to sign up for the free meals in store, with around 2,500 meals set to be available.
British supplier, Bernard Matthews, who has worked with Aldi since 2012, will be donating turkeys for the Christmas dinners, while Aldi will provide all the festive trimmings to complete the meal.
Luke Emery, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: “This is the third year we’ve supported the Community Shop’s Christmas Lunches and it’s set to be the biggest yet. We’re increasing the number of meals and donating to more Community Shops, so even more people can enjoy a Christmas dinner on us.
“Our partnership with Company Shop Group has helped us make a real difference, not just by reducing waste from our Regional Distribution Centres, but by making food go further for the people who need it most.”
Gary Scott, executive chairman at Community Shop, added: “Christmas can be a challenging time for many, and these meals offer people the chance to come together, enjoy good food, and take a moment away from the pressures of the season. We’re incredibly grateful to Aldi and its suppliers for their continued support and generosity, which make initiatives like this possible.”
Since forming its partnership with Company Shop Group in 2022, Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket has helped redistribute surplus stock from its Regional Distribution Centres to Community Shop stores across the country, allowing members to access quality products at lower prices.
To date, Aldi has donated almost seven million meals through its Regional Distribution Centres – supporting people in need and helping to tackle food waste all year round.
To find out more about Company Shop Group and Community Shop visit: www.companyshopgroup.co.uk
