In a bid to tackle food insecurity in the US, The Kroger Company’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation has provided Feeding America a $1 million retail agency capacity grant.

The Foundation has said that this funding will support four food banks across the US, including The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan (Flint, MI), Houston Food Bank (Houston, TX), Mid-South Food Bank (Memphis, TN) and the Atlanta Community Food Bank (Atlanta, GA).

Commenting on Kroger’s mission to support those facing food insecurity, Keith Dailey, Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer for Kroger said: “Kroger is a longstanding partner with more than 200 local food banks in our shared mission to eliminate hunger in our communities.

 “This grant will further support Feeding America’s network of food banks and food rescue organizations in local communities so that we can continue making progress toward our bold goal to end hunger and eliminate food waste across America.”

But what will the money be used for? According to reports, the $1 million will be spent on empowering food banks and agencies to increase the number of weekly food pickups through new equipment such as refrigerated vans, freezers and forklifts, and added resources like staffing, training and new technology.  In addition, the grant will be utilised to support retail rescue programmes by building agency supporters’ capacity to conduct direct pick-ups and improve equitable access to nutritious food.

“Kroger’s support goes beyond financial commitment. It helps to power a whole system of people and resources that are crucial in the movement to end hunger,” said Erika Thiem, Feeding America’s Chief Supply Chain Officer.

“Kroger’s lasting collaboration with Feeding America means people facing hunger have more access to the food and resources they need to thrive.”

In recognition of the grant, Feeding America’s Atlanta, Houston, Michigan and Tennessee divisions are set to celebrate with a day of volunteering and service. Associates in each of these divisions will be sorting, organising and packing meals for their communities during February 2024.