As the cost of living crisis worsens Lidl has launched a “Good to Give” label directing customers to the products which foodbanks need desperately to give people a varied, healthy diet. The initiative – thought to be an industry first – aims to increase donations to foodbanks.
The shelf labels will highlight long-life items that offer a greater variety of nutritional benefits and which can be dropped at the donation points beyond the checkouts in all Lidl stores. The items will be collected regularly by local foodbanks and community projects.
Lidl, which has seven supermarkets in the Leicester area and others around the county in Melton, Loughborough, Coalville, Hinckley and Market Harborough, chose the list of 30 food items based on the demand from foodbanks and the NHS Eatwell guide. The products selected include tinned fruit, lentils, mackerel, noodles, and brown rice.
READ MORE: Brits worse off than anywhere in Europe as Cost of Living crisis deepens
Petrol hit a new record high this week and home energy prices, which increased by 54 per cent for millions of families in April, are due to rise again in the autumn. Meanwhile, National Insurance, council tax and many people’s mortgage repayments have risen recently.
At the same time, prices in supermarkets are being driven up by factors including the Ukraine war, higher fuel prices and inflation. Many families are feeling the squeeze on their disposable income and the supermarket said it wanted to help the charities that are helping to feed poor people.
Lidl GB chief executive Ryan McDonnell said: “We’ve been listening to feedback from our charity partners on how we can best support them at this time. Through these conversations it became clear we can play a leading role in helping those relying on food banks to maintain a more nutritious, balanced diet by encouraging our customers to donate a little differently.
“We hope that more retailers will adopt the ‘Trustmark’ so that we can work together as an industry to help more people access the balanced and nutritious diet that they need.”
Neighbourly chief executive Steve Butterworth said things were going to get worse in the coming months. He said: “Through our work with local charities and good causes, supported by our latest community insights surveys, we can see how the cost-of-living crisis is causing steep rises in demand for food banks and front-line services.
“This is only going to increase in the coming months. With the launch of this new initiative, Lidl is demonstrating that they are truly committed to finding innovative ways to support their customers and local communities.”
The Good to Give initiative will be trialled for six months.
