Aldi Ireland has become the first retailer to donate non-surplus food to FoodCloud during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FoodCloud has said that it has experienced a huge surge in demand for its food redistribution services in recent months.
Between March and June, charities sought 44% more food donations compared to the same period in 2019, with 968 tonnes of food, equating to 2.3 million meals, distributed through retail partners and FoodCloud hubs during this unprecedented time, FoodCloud explained.
With such heightened demand, it has been necessary for FoodCloud to source and distribute non-surplus food for the very first time in its seven years of operations, with Aldi also stepping in for the first time to provide additional support in a new way, it added.
“We are committed to working with FoodCloud to help combat food poverty," said John Curtin, Aldi Group Buying Director.
"The organisation needed non-surplus food donations for the first time, in the face of growing demand on its services from charities. COVID-19 has put increasing pressure on us all," he added.
New Food Hubs
As a direct result of Aldi’s donation, FoodCloud was able to partner with Local Development Companies early in the pandemic to support 17 new food hubs in 15 counties.
“More and more charities have been seeking our services since the start of the pandemic," said Iseult Ward, CEO of FoodCloud.
"Thanks to the early donation by Aldi of €50,000 of non-surplus stock, we have been able to create new partnerships with Local Development Companies, ensuring ongoing distribution to those in need as the economic fallout of COVID-19 continues to take its toll on communities," she added.
According to the charity, June 2020 witnessed an all-time record peak in charities seeking FoodCloud’s help, with donations to charities up 64% compared to 2019.
During June, FoodCloud said that it donated 274 tonnes of food, the equivalent of 652,000 meals, through retail partners and dedicated FoodCloud hubs, saving the equivalent of 877 tonnes in CO2 emissions.
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