A pioneer in retail food rescue, Kroger continues to innovate and invest in its industry-leading food donation program, Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, to ensure that people facing hunger have the food they need.
Through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program, store associates direct safe, wholesome food that can no longer be sold to local partner food banks so the food can be distributed to neighbors in their communities.
In 2018, Kroger established the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, a nonprofit public charity focused on food system change and innovation and a Feeding America Leadership Partner. Since its formation through 2023, the Foundation has directed more than $66 million to organizations, innovators and changemakers across the U.S. who are working to end hunger and waste in their communities.
In 2023, Kroger donated 114 million pounds of surplus food to Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks and agency partners and the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation directed $7.3 million in grants to organizations and social entrepreneurs who share its mission of creating communities free of hunger and waste.
That said, Kroger recognizes this work cannot be achieved in silos.
“We need other retailers who are not doing surplus food rescue to join us,” Brianna Kramer, who leads Retail Operations Expense and Sustainability for The Kroger Co. “We created the blueprint for how to rescue surplus food and have shared that with other retailers so we can all join in the fight against hunger.”
Inviting Others to Take Action
During Hunger Action Month 2024, marked annually each September, the Foundation held its fourth annual register campaign, enabling shoppers to support their local food bank by rounding up and/or donating $1, $3, or $5 at the register at the Kroger family of stores (excluding Ruler and Harris Teeter locations). Through the campaign, 100% of funds will benefit local Feeding America partner food banks.
Since launching in 2021, the campaign has raised $1.5 million at the register through customers. Last year, the campaign increased donations by 22%.
“This campaign is something we really take pride in,” said Patty Leesemann, executive director of the Foundation. “Our customers tell us they want to support their local communities and neighbors in need. Rounding up is an easy way for them to do just that.”
Strengthening the Food Bank Network
In 2024, Kroger awarded a $1 million retail agency capacity grant to Feeding America to support four food banks in Michigan, Texas, Tennessee and Georgia. Retail agency capacity grants are vital to our work and building the strength and resiliency of the food bank network. The grants will empower food banks, and their agency partners, to increase the number of weekly food pickups through new equipment like refrigerated vans, freezers and forklifts. The funding also means food banks can add needed resources like staffing, training and new technology.
The grant also builds members’ capacity to conduct direct pick-ups and improve equitable access to nutritious food.
“Every day, our associates set aside surplus food for local hunger relief organizations to pick up, but some of these organizations can only accommodate one or two pick-ups a week,” said Kramer. “This grant will help local food banks to increase the frequency of pick-ups not only at Kroger stores but at other retailers to better serve their communities and get even more surplus food to the people who need it.”
Partnering Together in the Movement to End Hunger
When Kroger launched its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan in 2017, it committed to donating three billion meals by 2025. The retailer achieved that milestone in the first quarter of 2023, more than two years ahead of its goal, because of its strategic focus and engagement. At Feeding America, we know food rescue is one of the most immediate and effective opportunities to address our nation’s ongoing hunger crisis.
We are grateful to Kroger for its best-in-class food donation program, cause marketing and philanthropic support, which collectively continues to have an immense impact on the network’s ability to source and distribute nourishing food to people facing hunger.
