Albertsons Cos. tackles summer food insecurity
Albertsons Cos. has launched its O Organics “Fight Hunger, Serve Hope” initiative to combat hunger during the summer months when households with school-aged children face higher rates of food insecurity. Now through Aug. 1, the company’s private-label brand will donate one meal for every O Organics product purchased, up to $7 million and the equivalent of 28 million meals, according to a release.
Donations will be made to Nourishing Neighbors, a program of Albertsons Companies Foundation, to fund grants dedicated to providing healthy meals for at-risk youth throughout the summer.
"While summertime sparks excitement for countless students, it also marks the unfortunate reality that 22 million children face when they lose access to school cafeteria lunches and breakfasts they depend on throughout the school year," Jennifer Saenz, Albertsons executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, said in a release. “As a company, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of children in need. For the first time, we are making it easier than ever for our customers to support this mission by connecting each purchase of our O Organics brand to hunger relief efforts in the communities we serve.”
Taking stock of childhood hunger through O Organics
Customers purchasing any O Organics item through Aug. 1 will fund grants to over 200 organizations that enhance school breakfasts, provide weekend breakfast food, offer backpack programs with food to take home, supply summer breakfast meals and many other breakfast-related programs, the release said.
The company’s Nourishing Neighbors charitable program has selected organizations in local communities where nutritious meals are needed most, including Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, No Kid Hungry, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, The Greater Boston Food Bank and Northern Illinois Food Bank, among others.
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Customers can participate in the donation program by purchasing O Organics products at any of the company’s portfolio of banner stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Shaw’s, Jewel-Osco and Tom Thumb.
Albertsons says O Organics offers USDA-certified, affordably priced organic foods that support overall well-being. The brand was created in 2005 with 150 USDA-certified organic products spanning bakery, beverages, canned and frozen food, cereal, dairy and snack items. Today, O Organics can be found in every aisle, providing high-quality organic products at an incredible value, the release said.
The O Organics “Fight Hunger, Serve Hope” cause program follows the recent evolution of the O Organics brand and an ongoing commitment by the company to address food insecurity by awarding $9 million in multiyear grants to nonprofits committed to ending the cycle of hunger.
“The hard truth is that one in eight children in America experience food insecurity, and the summer months only make this reality even more challenging,” said Christy Duncan Anderson, president and executive director for Albertsons Companies Foundation. “Hunger can have lifelong consequences for children, making it more difficult for them to learn, play and connect with kids their age. Thanks to this cause program, customers buying O Organics essentials, such as milk, fresh fruit, proteins and snacks, are enabling the donation of 28 million nutritious meals to children in need this summer.”
O Organics is part of the company’s Own Brands portfolio, which includes household names such as Signature Select, Lucerne, Open Nature, Primo Taglio, debi lilly design, waterfront Bistro, Soleil and Value Corner.
