Publix Matches Customer Donations To Provide For Local Food Banks

ATLANTA, GA — Publix is partnering with local food banks and pantries to provide thousands of meals to families in need.

The grocery giant has launched its Feeding More Together initiative allowing customers to chip in by donating any dollar amount at the register to transfer into dollar credits that allow meal servicing organizations in the Metro Atlanta area to select the food items they need most. This campaign supports food banks throughout the Southeast in two ways: with nonperishable food items and with fresh produce purchased from Southeastern farmers.

“We understand the importance of food being at the center of the home and what keeps people going,” Publix spokeswoman Nicole Krauss told Patch. “We’re always trying to innovate around ways to solve the problem of hunger.”

All donations support Feeding America member food banks as well as other local food pantries, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Also, the company is donating food items from its nonperishable recovery donation program, supplying stock that is in good condition but has been on shelves longer than the allotted time for each item.

“No one should ever have to wonder where they will find their next meal. As a food retailer, we’re committed to helping alleviate hunger in the communities we serve,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “And we know when we work together with our customers and associates, we can help provide our neighbors the nourishing meals they need to reach their full potential.”

Launched in 2021, Feeding More Together will provide nearly 200 million meals from donations made in its inaugural year to Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofit agencies focused on hunger alleviation.

Having its beginning during the global coronavirus pandemic also gave Publix a unique opportunity to help local farmers while helping to feed families, Krauss said.

“Whatever is raised, Publix purchases that amount in fresh produce from the southeast or produce farmers all across the seven states in which we operate,” she said. “That was really an innovation that came out of the pandemic. One of the things that we noticed when restaurants were shutting down and places were shutting down in spring of 2020 was that our farmers were hurting. Hunger was continuing to become a real big issue and so we purchased food from them and donated it to Feeding America food bags as well.”

Since 2009, Publix has donated more than $2 billion in food to people in need and has pledged an additional $2 billion in food donations by 2030. And over 12 years, Publix’s register campaigns and produce contributions in support of hunger alleviation have resulted in more than $125 million in food donations.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.