Albertsons sets higher goals for enabling meals, food charity donations
Albertsons Companies Inc. is not resting on its laurels when it comes to combating food insecurity.
The grocery giant now plans to enable 1.5 billion meals by 2030 as part of its “Recipe for Change” framework. Albertsons Cos. intends to meet this goal through a combination of surplus food donations from stores and funds raised by the Albertsons Foundation, after meeting its original goal of enabling more than one billion meals.
In addition, the Albertsons Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors program will invest $10 million annually to help reduce hunger through various initiatives aimed at reducing food insecurity.
Since the Nourishing Neighbors program’s inception in 2014, it has raised more than $297 million for thousands of nonprofit organizations that assist hunger in America.
“At Albertsons, we remain committed to fighting food insecurity in the communities we serve today while working to create lasting solutions to end hunger tomorrow, and forever,” said Jennifer Saenz, executive VP of pharmacy and e-commerce for Albertsons and board chair for the Albertsons Foundation.
The company donated more than 92 million pounds of food from stores, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities in 2023, which is the equivalent of enabling over 76 million meals. Local stores also support hunger relief efforts such as food drives and volunteer initiatives.
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"A key component of our Recipe for Change framework is fighting food insecurity at a local level which is why we’re constantly exploring programs and partnerships that advance localized food donation solutions," said Suzanne Long, chief sustainability and transformation officer for Albertsons. "We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made to date, and we’re keen to leverage and implement innovative practices as we work to achieve our new goal of enabling an additional 1.5 billion meals by 2030."
As of Nov. 30, 2024, Albertsons Companies Inc. operated 2,273 retail food and drug stores with 1,732 pharmacies, 405 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities. The company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under more than 20 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market.
