In support of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies will contribute new goals and initiatives designed to help break the cycle of hunger and empower nutrition and health through technology and information.
“At Albertsons Companies, our purpose is to bring people together around the joys of food and to inspire well-being. A part of that promise is improving food access while providing tools that integrate nutrition and health information across our grocery stores and digital platforms,” said Vivek Sankaran, CEO.
“We are proud to announce these commitments, which complement our Recipe for Change ESG platform and reflect our deep roots serving communities across America.”
Nourishing Neighbors, a program of Albertsons Companies Foundation, seeks to ensure at-risk youth, adults, seniors and families have access to the food they need. Through the program, more than $200 million has been donated to hunger relief organizations since 2011.
The company has pledged the following commitments to reduce food insecurity:
- Enable the donation of more than 100 million meals in 2023 and 1 billion meals by 2030. As part of this commitment, Albertsons Cos. and its foundation are working to champion innovative programs and partnerships to help break the cycle of hunger and increase fresh produce and nutritious foods in area food banks.
- Help 50,000 eligible neighbors enroll in SNAP and WIC benefits in 2023. In addition to offering online SNAP access and educational information in stores, the Nourishing Neighbors program will provide grants to local food banks, soup kitchens and community organizations so they can conduct outreach and provide SNAP and WIC enrollment support.
As part of the company’s commitment to inspiring better eating, it has made the following commitments:
- Provide 50 million evidence-based nutrition recommendations to digital customers by 2024 to help them make healthier choices while shopping with Albertsons Cos. banner stores.
- Launch six health campaigns by 2025 utilizing in-store events and digital platforms to increase awareness of MyPlate Dietary Guidelines, established by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
- Provide 100 million customers access to recipe and meal planning tools by 2025, empowering them to select and cook meals that match their budget and dietary needs.
- Expand the availability of ReadyMeals from 600 to 1,100 stores by the end of the fiscal year. ReadyMeals offer nutritious meals designed by culinary experts and dieticians made fresh in-store every day.
“Albertsons Companies is a grocery hub for thousands of communities, providing access to food, medications and care. These initiatives further highlight our commitment to building a deeper connection between food and well-being,” said Omer Gajial, chief digital officer and EVP of health at Albertsons Cos.
“As a company, we continue to challenge ourselves to provide simple, actionable solutions, helping our customers and communities to meet their nutritional needs and health goals.”
For more information on Recipe for Change and Nourishing Neighbors, click here.
