“I always tell store associates, ‘don’t donate because store or senior leadership tells you to. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. The person who receives that food could be someone you know or a family member down the road.’”

Every day in our stores, our associates help end hunger in our communities and reduce waste when we rescue and separate perishable food for donation through our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Food Rescue program.  Joey Maggard, one of our 2019 Zero Hero Award winners, has played an essential role in making the partnership between our stores and local foodbanks so successful, including helping increase our perishable food donations to Foodbank Inc., in Dayton, Ohio more than an astounding 6,800%.

Joey formerly managed the Food Rescue Program (then Perishable Donation Program) for the enterprise and led the company-wide relaunch several years ago, where he worked to establish strong connections between our stores and Feeding America member foodbanks. As a part of these efforts, Joey also worked with the Cincinnati Division to assist in training associates and increase the number of foodbank donations. In 2013, he became the first-ever Kroger—and the only retail-food representative—on the board of directors for Foodbank Inc., in Dayton, Ohio.

Since the start of his journey representing Kroger with the Dayton food bank, our perishable food donations have increased more than 6,800% from about 12,000 lbs. in 2012 to more than 700,000 lbs. in 2019. This incredible improvement is a direct result of Joey’s personal passion for feeding those experiencing food insecurity.

“I always tell store associates, ‘don’t donate because store or senior leadership tells you to. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. The person who receives that food could be someone you know or a family member down the road,” says Joey.

Joey’s second term on the board for the Foodbank was set to end in June 2019. However, for the first time in the Foodbank’s history, Joey was asked to stay on for another year and received a unanimous vote from his fellow board members.

“I’ve loved the work, I’m very passionate about the program and it’s so fulfilling to know that you’ve made a difference,” says Joey. “I’m thrilled that I played a role in feeding folks across the country on behalf of Kroger.”

Our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan is our commitment to end hunger in our communities and eliminate waste across our company by 2025. It addresses a fundamental absurdity in our food system: 40% of the food produced in the U.S. is thrown away, yet 1 in 8 Americans struggles with hunger. Joey’s work and the work of all our Zero Hero Award winners is leading the charge in our fight to achieve a world with Zero Hunger and Zero Waste.

Most of the food donated to food banks comes from grocery retail. When we each take an active role in participating in our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Food Rescue program, we’re ensuring that more families in our communities have something to eat.