Grocery Outlet launches campaign to combat food insecurity

Extreme-value grocery retailer Grocery Outlet Bargain Market on Wednesday launched its 10th consecutive “Independence from Hunger” food drive to combat food insecurity. From June 24 to July 31, the campaign will collect cash donations and prepacked bags of nonperishable foods in-store at Grocery Outlet’s 350 locations that will be distributed to local food agencies partners.

In addition to the local store donations, Emeryville, Calif.-based Grocery Outlet has initiated a “Million Dollar Match,” a pledge to match up to $1 million of donations made to the stores to multiply Independence from Hunger’s effort to support food agencies across the nation. Additionally, online donations made at GroceryOutlet.com/Donate will support Grocery Outlet’s San Francisco bay area partner, Alameda County Community Food Bank. 

According to the USDA’s latest analysis of Food Insecurity in America, 11 million households suffer limited access to food sources and suffer from food insecurity.  This year, food agencies have experienced a growing need to provide food for children who are out of school due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has resulted in record lows for food bank inventories across the country.

Because of this rise in food insecurity, each independently owned and operated Grocery Outlet store is committed to giving back to the local community, the company said, and have partnered locally to bring the community together in providing families nutritious food.

Related:Stop & Shop raises more than $1.3 million for hunger relief during pandemic

“We feel it is more important than ever to help lessen the number of families across America at risk for food insecurity. This year, Grocery Outlet has pledged to match up to $1 million to support and expand the program’s effort,” said Eric Lindberg, CEO of Grocery Outlet. “Last year, with the overwhelming help of our community, our campaign funded over $2 million to those in need. In our tenth year, we are dedicated to making a greater impact.” 

Since its launch in 2011, the Independence from Hunger campaign efforts have collected more than $5 million nationwide. There are a number of ways customers can support the program:

· “Give $5, get $5.” Customers who donate $5 or more in a single transaction in-store or online will receive a coupon for $5 off a future purchase of $25 or more.

· Purchase a pre-made bag that is complete with an assortment of groceries selected by the local food agency and then place it in a collection bin at the front of the store.

· Make an in-store donation at the register. Donations will benefit that store’s local food agency partner. Customers can donate $1, $5 or round up their change.

Related:Food retailers fortify hunger relief efforts

· Donate online by visiting GroceryOutlet.com/Donate. Online donations support the San Francisco Bay Area community through Grocery Outlet’s partnership with Alameda County Community Food Bank.

“With school closures resulting in record lows for food bank inventories across the country, we are once again reaching out to our loyal customers, employees and partners to join us and help support our neighbors in need,” said Lindberg. “Our goal is to continue providing access to high-quality and nutritious food for our local communities in need and this year we have promised to match up to $1 million to support our stores’ efforts.” 

Many of the stores are kicking off this year's campaign with videos on Facebook Live. (Click on the photo below to see the video from Grocery Outlet's Lompoc, Calif., store.)

Grocery Outlet has more than 350 locations in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. 

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