Aldi to dish out a million free meals this summer to families in need

As the school holidays kick off, thousands of families face the same dilemma of making their household budgets stretch to feed the kids for six weeks straight. 

With no access to free school meals and grocery prices still high, demand for food banks is set to soar, but the supermarket is stepping in to help.

Aldi has announced plans to donate more than one million free meals to struggling households over the summer. The supermarket giant will hand out surplus food through charities, food banks and community groups in every part of the UK.

The move couldn’t come at a better time. The Trussell Trust and other food poverty charities warn that summer is one of the busiest times of year, as the gap left by school meals puts extra pressure on already-stretched budgets.

The meals will be distributed daily from all Aldi stores via Neighbourly, a charity platform that links shops with local good causes. Aldi has already donated 8.8 million meals this year – and the number keeps rising.

Aldi is also one of the few supermarkets to offer a community donation point in every store, where shoppers can leave items for local charities to collect.

It comes as the retailer continues to top the affordability charts, with Which? crowning it the cheapest UK supermarket for 14 months running.

How to get free meals from Aldi

You won’t find free food on Aldi shelves – but if you run a local charity, foodbank or community group, you might be able to collect surplus food directly from your nearest store.

Here’s how:

• Email [email protected] if you’re a registered organisation interested in collecting unsold food this summer.
• Food is donated daily and includes fresh, chilled and long-life items.
• Shoppers can help too, by leaving donations in the community donation points at Aldi stores nationwide.

What other help is available if you're struggling to feed the kids

If you're finding it hard to afford food during the school holidays, there is support available and much of it is completely free.

Food banks – Local food banks can offer emergency food parcels, usually with a referral from a GP, school, Jobcentre or charity. Find one near you via trusselltrust.org

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme – This government-funded scheme offers free holiday clubs for kids who get free school meals. Your child will get fed and activities range from sports to crafts and cooking. Check your local council’s website for details.

Household Support Fund – Councils across England have been given a pot of money to help families cover food, energy and essential costs. You don’t always need to be on benefits to get help. Visit your local council’s site to see what’s available in your area.

Healthy Start scheme – If you’re pregnant or have children under four and are on a low income, you could get free vouchers for milk, fruit, veg and baby formula. Apply at healthystart.nhs.uk