Dundee and Angus stores contribute over 13,800 meals during summer holidays
Aldi stores throughout the UK redistributed 10.9 million meals to charities, foodbanks, and community organisations in 2026 as part of its ongoing efforts to minimise food waste. This figure represents a 24% increase from the more than 8.8 million meals the retailer had redistributed before the school holidays this year. Stores in Dundee & Angus specifically donated 13,895 meals during the recent school summer holidays.
Since 2019, Aldi has partnered with Neighbourly to facilitate the redistribution of surplus food from its stores across the UK to various charitable and community groups. This collaboration ensures that food which might otherwise go to waste is put to use by organisations supporting local communities.
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, stated: “There’s no reason for good food to go to waste when it can be put to use by organisations supporting their local communities. Our stores redistribute surplus food throughout the year, giving local charities a regular source of food they can use to support the people who rely on them.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, noted that for many of the organisations his company supports, summer does not ease demand. He highlighted that school holidays can increase pressure on families facing higher food costs, and children who typically receive free school meals may have reduced access to support. Mr Butterworth commented: “Regular surplus food donations give charities something practical they can use straight away, helping them keep shelves stocked and respond to what people in their communities need.”
In addition to these partnerships, shoppers in Dundee & Angus, and across the UK, can contribute to local charities, foodbanks, and community groups through dedicated community donation points in Aldi stores nationwide. Aldi also works with Company Shop to redistribute surplus food from its Regional Distribution Centres.
Aldi operates 113 stores in Scotland and employs more than 3,600 people. The retailer stated that its dedicated Scottish Buying Department enables it to engage with Scotland’s agricultural and manufacturing base, stocking hundreds of Scottish products from a variety of local suppliers.
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In 2025, Aldi became Scotland’s second largest supermarket by volume, as confirmed by Worldpanel data. The company also reported it was recognised as Scotland’s leading supermarket for local sourcing by NFU Scotland, with 65% of the products on its shelves sourced directly from Scotland. This represents a contribution of over £300 million in sales from Scottish-sourced products and suppliers, and Aldi stated it welcomed 60 million trips through its Scottish stores in 2025.
Looking ahead, Aldi plans to invest £43 million in Scotland over the next two years. This investment includes new stores scheduled to open in Uddingston and Dumbarton in 2026, alongside planned extensions for its Greenock, Perth, Linlithgow, Paisley, and Stirling stores.
Aldi also stated its commitment to supporting communities where it operates. Throughout 2025, Aldi contributed over £50,000 to amateur sports clubs through its Scottish Sports Fund, which launched in 2016. Furthermore, through its Supermarket Sweep initiative, the retailer donated £10,000 to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), aiming to provide vital hospice care for children and families across the country.
