Ten years ago, in partnership with Feeding America, Kroger launched our industry-leading food donation program: Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Food Rescue. Through this program, our associates direct safe, wholesome food that can no longer be sold, to local food banks to help those in need in our communities. In 2017, the Kroger family of companies rescued 91.2 million pounds of food from our stores, manufacturing plants and distribution centers through Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Food Rescue and donated it to over 100 local Feeding America affiliated food banks.
 
The best part of this food rescue program is seeing the direct impact it has on our communities through donations to local food banks—like the Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati. “The partnership between the Freestore Foodbank and Kroger has elevated the conversation about hunger and waste in the community we both call home,” said Trisha Rayner, chief external affairs officer for Freestore Foodbank. “Kroger’s commitment to our organization allows us to serve more working families who struggle to put food on the table, and it bolsters our vision of a hunger-free community.”
 
The Kroger family of companies has donated more than 450 million pounds of food over the last 10 years, which equals about 400 million meals. Looking forward, through Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan, we are accelerating donations to give 1 billion meals by 2020 and 3 billion meals in food and funds combined by 2025. In 2018, we are focused on driving greater store execution of our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Food Rescue program and adding even more items approved for donation. We are re-introducing the program to show associates how they can help end hunger in their communities and reduce food waste every day.
 
For more information, please follow our journey at www.thekrogerco.com