The Aldi store in Wrexham will now be donating any of their surplus food directly to local groups that offer supplies to vulnerable people in the area, including Wrexham Foodbank.

The new partnerships follows on from a successful trial between the supermarket and community engagement platform, Neighbourly, which saw Aldi pair up 17 of its stores in North Wales with local good causes that are now collecting surplus food (unused food) up to five days a week.

The supermarket chain, which has over 825 stores and 32,000 employees nationwide, will see its 17 North Wales stores each donating perishable items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, long life items and baked goods to those in need.

Trials for this initiative scheme began in January and due to its success it was then rolled out across Aldi’s entire store estate.

Last year alone, Aldi donated up to two million meals to charity and expects to increase this by 50 per cent now that the trial has been extended to its 827 stores.

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 North Wales.

“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.”

As well helping those struggling within the Wrexham area, the incentive also distributes food supplies to venerable residents within other local areas, such as Flintshire via the Home Start Flintshire, which provides support for young families living locally.

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: "We're 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."

Aldi has worked with Fareshare and Company Shop since 2012 and is now also partnering with Neighbourly to explore the benefits of more direct relationships within the communities its stores serve.

In addition to distributing food supplies to those in need, the supermarket has supported helping the environment as they have not sent any waste to landfill since 2014, and has also pledged to reduce operational food waste by 50% by 2030 as part of the Friends of Champions 12.3 network.

If any local charities within Wrexham are interested in partnering up with an Aldi store, contact aldi@neighbourly.com for further information.