Winn-Dixie Stores has announced in a news statement the complete roll out of its Food Recovery Program, which provides perishable items to local Feeding America affiliate food banks in the company's five-state operating area.
The programme, which was first piloted in 10 stores in January 2009, has quietly expanded it throughout the retailer’s operating area and will be rolled out to all of Winn Dixie’s 515 stores by the end of April.
Approximately 3.5m lbs pounds of usable food was donated to feed the hungry in the programme’s pilot phase during the past 15 months.
“As a grocer, we are concerned about the number of Americans seeking food assistance in today’s economy, and we are very pleased to be a part of the solution,” said Mary Kellmanson, group marketing vice-president. “Our partnership with Feeding America and its network of food banks is making a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger.”
Average donations of usable food in similar programs across the country range between 250 lbs and 300 lbs each week per store, including foods like bread, meats, cheeses, bagged fruits and vegetables, gelatin desserts, and sandwiches.
Winn-Dixie officials estimate the programme will result in 6m lbs to 8m lbs of usable food making its way to food banks each year once the initiative is operating in all of the company's stores.
“This will help us provide millions of meals to Americans who are living on the brink of hunger,” said Vicki Escarra, president and chief executive officer of Feeding America.
“One of our important objectives at Feeding America is finding new sources of fresh and nutritious food to provide to the 5.7m people who rely on us for food each week of the year. We are extremely grateful to Winn-Dixie for providing this invaluable community service - hunger is a real and persistent problem facing many of our nation’s communities today.”
Winn-Dixie Stores is one of the largest food retailers in the US. The company currently operates 515 stores in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi.
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