AS Aldi celebrates its 25th anniversary in Scotland, 13 stores across Mid-Scotland and Fife are now donating surplus food directly to 17 local charities to help prevent hunger across the region and the company's Cowdenbeath store is helping two local good causes..

This new partnership follows on from a successful trial between the supermarket and community engagement platform, Neighbourly. Aldi has paired a total of 13 stores in the region with good causes that are now collecting surplus food up to five days a week, and the company's Stenhouse Street store is playing its part.

They have linked up with the Salvation Army, who's base is just along the road from the store and which runs lunch clubs; and HomeStart on High Street, which works with young families and holds cookery classes for young mums.

Each store is donating perishable items such as fresh fruit and veg, long life items and baked goods.

Fritz Walleczek, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “We’re always looking for new and creative ways to increase the amount of food we are able to donate. This partnership is enabling us to distribute even more surplus stock, while supporting a vast range of good causes, across Mid-Scotland and Fife.

“Our aim is for fresh, healthy food to be accessible for everyone, and Neighbourly are helping us to extend this commitment beyond our affordable range of fresh products.”

Steve Butterworth, Neighbourly CEO, commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with Aldi on this programme and to help them realise their ambition to benefit those communities local to each and every one of their stores across the UK. "Food surplus is a challenge Aldi is committed to playing its part to address. This approach is critical to ensure surplus food finds its way easily to the good causes supporting those communities that need it most."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Aldi opening its first store in Scotland and the 10th anniversary of the creation of its dedicated Scottish Buying Department. The supermarket was recently crowned Scottish Sourcing Business of the Year at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, recognised for its strong relationships with over 90 local suppliers and commitment to increasing its range of Scottish products from 400 to over 450 by the end of 2020.

Any local charities looking to partner up with an Aldi store should email aldi@neighbourly.com to apply.