Dollar General to help tackle food insecurity

Dollar General is looking to address the issue of food insecurity in the communities it serves through a partnership with Feeding America.

The operational partnership includes a $1 million donation to the organization that will be used to provide access to food resources across rural and underserved communities.

“Food insecurity impacts communities across the country, and given that Feeding America projects that 42 million people may face hunger as a result of the pandemic, we want to be part of the solution for those facing this issue,” Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO said.

In addition, the retailer announced plans to offer produce to 10,000 communities over the next several years, with a number of locations being stores in areas that are currently defined as food deserts by the United States Department of Agriculture.

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“With our extensive store footprint, often in communities others have chosen not to serve, Dollar General is uniquely positioned to help combat hunger by offering convenient access to a variety of nutritious foods at affordable prices," Vasos said. "Our work with Feeding America builds on these efforts by providing in-kind donations of perishable foods to help nourish and feed those in need. Together with Feeding America and local community food banks, we look forward to making a measurable impact in the fight against food insecurity.”

Other steps the retailer said it plans to take include DG Better For You meals, created with the help of a registered nutritionist, that provide consumers with healthier recipes for each meal of the day with items sourced from its shelves.

“Each year, billons of pounds of food go to waste while millions of Americans face hunger. Feeding America is grateful to Dollar General for ensuring that good, wholesome unsold food gets to people who need it most. We are also grateful for their generous donation of $1 million, which will help provide meals to children and families in rural communities,” Claire Babineauz-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said.