Grocery Outlet raises $3 million to combat food insecurity, adds $1 million to total

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, the Emeryville, Calif.-based extreme-value grocery retailer, raised more than $3 million in donations in its 10th annual Independence from Hunger Food Drive campaign — and the company topped that off with an additional $1 million contribution to match the efforts of its participating store locations, bringing the total donation for 2020 to $4 million.

From June 24 through July 31, over 350 Grocery Outlet stores nationwide raised funds and collected monetary donations from customers, employees and independent operators to donate back to local food agencies. The retailer noted that, with the current state of school closures and job losses due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, children and their families in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities throughout the U.S. are at greater risk of experiencing food insecurity. 

Since its launch in 2011, the Independence from Hunger campaign efforts have collected over $11million in total donations nationwide. Throughout the campaign, Grocery Outlet customers and employees were encouraged to contribute to the campaign through: 

• Purchase of a pre-made food bags filled with an assortment of nonperishable items 

• Give $5, Get $5 at the register. Donate $5 or more in a single transaction and receive a $5 coupon

Related:Grocery Outlet launches campaign to combat food insecurity

• Contribution of a monetary donation through in-store and online platforms

“We are extremely proud to support food agencies in our backyards across the nation, and raising over $11 million since the campaign began is a big milestone we’ve reached,” said Eric Lindberg, CEO at Grocery Outlet Inc. “To celebrate Independence from Hunger’s 10th year anniversary, it was important to augment the great work our independent operators do with local partners. As a company we’re excited to contribute $1 million to match their efforts.”

Each of Grocery Outlet’s 350-plus stores identified local food agencies in their respective locations to partner with throughout the campaign. Grocery Outlet's San Francisco Bay Area partner, Alameda County Community Food Bank, will receive all donations completed online at GroceryOutlet.com/Donate. In addition, Grocery Outlet has partnered with regional area partners such as Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Oregon Food Bank, who will also receive generous donations from longtime supplier partners Campbell's, ConAgra,Frito-Lay, Gamesa-Quaker, Harris Ranch, Kellogg’s, MW Polar Foods, PepsiCo, Tyson Foods, Sanderson Farms, Thomas Foods and United Salad (Del Monte). 

Related:Grocery Outlet sees net income more than double in first quarter

The retailer operates stores in in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington.

According to the USDA’s latest analysis of Food Insecurity in America, over 11 million households undergo limited access to food sources and suffer from food insecurity. In the COVID-19 era, Brookings estimates households with insufficient food supply was between 22% to 38%. This year, food agencies have experienced a staggering demand and growing need to provide food for children who have been prematurely released from annual school schedules and unable to attend summer school – resulting in record lows for food bank inventories across the country. Now more than ever, Grocery Outlet has strengthened its commitment that was born a decade ago with its Independence from Hunger campaign to find solutions that ensure all families have access to high-quality meals.

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