Aldi expands charity partnership to boost surplus food donations

Aldi is set to further support families in need this year in Wiltshire as it expands its partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing.

The UK’s fourth largest supermarket will donate an additional 1.2 million meals in 2026, building on a successful pilot programme at three of its Regional Distribution Centres which saw 455,000 meals redistributed in 2025.  

The partnership enables Aldi’s suppliers to donate products that couldn’t be sold in stores, such as items with packaging damage or labelling errors, but are still perfectly good to eat.

Following the success of the pilot, Aldi will now roll the initiative out across all remaining Regional Distribution Centres this year, including in Swindon.

The Bread and Butter Thing is the UK's largest member-based food redistribution charity. It runs mobile food clubs in communities from Maidstone to Northumberland, providing its members with access to fresh, nutritious food at affordable prices.

Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “Expanding this initiative across all of our Regional Distribution Centres marks an important step in how we reduce waste and continue to support our communities.

“Through our partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing, we’re ensuring that even more surplus food is redirected to families who need it most, rather than going to waste.”

Vic Harper, CEO at The Bread and Butter Thing, said: “Demand for fresh, affordable food support remains high in many communities, and this partnership plays an important role in helping us meet that need.

“Surplus food that might otherwise go to waste is instead helping families stretch their budgets and access nutritious essentials. We’re pleased to be working with Aldi to grow this impact across more communities.”

Aldi works with a range of redistribution partners across the UK to ensure surplus food from its stores and distribution centres is put to good use. Through partnerships including Neighbourly and Company Shop Group, the supermarket continues to reduce waste across its operations while supporting communities facing financial pressures.