Last updated on June 12th, 2024 at 01:00 pm
Building on their successful pilot effort last year in Washington, D.C., Albertsons Cos. and Uber Technologies Inc. have expanded their food rescue initiative to Boston, Chicago and Denver.
Part of the 2024 White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, the program uses Uber Direct, Uber’s white-label delivery solution, to create a reliable delivery system to donate surplus food from Albertsons Cos. stores to local nonprofits and food banks.
“At Albertsons Cos., we are committed to making a real difference in the communities we serve and the planet we share,” said Suzanne Long, chief sustainability and transformation officer at Albertsons Cos.
“We are thrilled to partner with Uber to streamline the delivery of excess food to our partner food recovery organizations, ensuring that the food donated from our stores gets to those who need it most. Together, we can reduce food waste and feed our neighbors in need.”
The food rescue program has expanded to select Star Market stores in Boston, Jewel-Osco stores in Chicago and Safeway stores in the Denver area. Albertsons Cos. stores will use Uber Direct’s network of delivery people for the food deliveries. Among the recipients will be the Greater Boston Food Bank in Boston, St. Cletus Food Pantry in Chicago and Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver.
“We’re thrilled to continue to use our technology to improve the lives of community members in Boston, Chicago and Denver,” said Julia Paige, head of global social impact at Uber.
“No individual or family should ever have to experience hunger, and we’re proud to work with partners like Albertsons Cos. to help provide access to nutritious foods.”
Since the food rescue initiative launched in 2023, more than 100 food donation deliveries have been made to D.C.-area nonprofits, including The Father McKenna Center, House of Mercy and Tutoring Café.
“This program has been a tremendous blessing for our community, as we provide essential food assistance to more than 100 households every week through our food pantry,” said Emily Dold, food pantry manager at The Father McKenna Center.
“Our dedicated food pantry team, although small, juggles various responsibilities throughout the day, which sometimes leaves them unable to collect donations from the grocery stores promptly. We are so grateful for our partnership with Albertsons Cos. and Uber. The food donated brings joy. It brings relief. It nourishes and heals. We have been able to offer better food options to our patrons.”
