A SUPERMARKET’S Salisbury and Amesbury stores have launched a partnership with charities in the city to donate food supplies to vulnerable people.

Aldi are redistributing supplies through Smiley Face Nursery and The Pantry Partnership, which provides nutritious meals for people living in social isolation and teaches people how to cook with fresh ingredients.

The new partnerships follow on from a successful trial between the supermarket and community engagement platform, Neighbourly.

Aldi has paired 11 stores in Wiltshire with local causes that are now collecting surplus food up to five days a week.

Each store is donating perishable items such as fresh fruit and veg, long life items and baked goods.

The trial began in January 2019, and following its success, was rolled out across Aldi’s entire store estate.

Last year the supermarket donated two million meals to charity and expects to increase this by 50 per cent now the trial has been extended to its more than 830 stores.

Fritz Walleczek, managing director of corporate responsibility at Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Our aim is for fresh, healthy food to be accessible for everyone, and Neighbourly are helping us to extend this commitment beyond our affordable range of fresh products.”

Steve Butterworth, Neighbourly CEO said "We are delighted to be partnering with Aldi on this programme and to help them realise their ambition to benefit those communities local to each and every one of their stores across the UK. Food surplus is a challenge Aldi is committed to playing its part to address. This approach is critical to ensure surplus food finds its way easily to the good causes supporting those communities that need it most."

Any local charities in  Salisbury or Amesbury looking to partner up with an Aldi store should email aldi@neighbourly.com to apply.

Aldi has worked with Fareshare and Company Shop since 2012 and is now also partnering with Neighbourly to explore the benefits of more direct relationships within the communities its stores serve.