Asda NI customers donate over 2.6 tonnes of food

In total, across the UK, Asda shoppers have donated enough food to provide 140,000 meals.

The supermarket has donation trolleys in almost 400 of its stores, with food already distributed to 244 food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network providing over 140,000 meals to people in financial crisis, with donations also going to other local charities.

The donations add to the 418,871 meals provided by Asda’s food donation programme – which sees 462 of Asda’s stores donate food directly to local charities in their area.

During COVID-19 Asda made a £5m donation, which has been split evenly between the Trussell Trust and FareShare.

The money has been used to help FareShare to get vans on the road, supporting 336,000 families who need it most every week. The investment has also helped 230 food banks in the Trussell Trust network set up e-referral systems so people unable to afford their own food can be referred for an emergency food parcel either online or over the phone.

Asda has also donated 452,000 carrier bags to help transport the generous donations made by its customers from food banks and community charities to people most in need.

Asda Chief Customer Officer, Anna-Maree Shaw said: “We have been staggered by the generosity of our wonderful customers at what is an incredibly challenging time. Thanks to them a lot of families will have greater access at a time when they need it most. We will continue to do all we can to help people in need in our communities and support the vital work that both charities do.”

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of Asda and its customers during such challenging times. This support for communities across the UK will allow food banks to continue providing the best possible emergency help to people unable to afford their own food. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far – we really are grateful for every donation.

“We must not lose the power we have when we come together as a country to make sure proper support is there for one another. It’s this community spirit, working alongside businesses like Asda, that we need to harness as we begin to rebuild a just and compassionate society that protects us all from poverty.”

Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive of FareShare, said: “Never has it been more important to get good, nutritious food to vulnerable people than right now.

“We’re grateful to Asda for its funding during this critical time, which is helping us access more food and safely and quickly transport it to where it’s needed most.”