More than 50 percent of the 47 million Americans facing food insecurity depend on local food banks and assistance programs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

As food banks around the country begin collecting food for the holidays, Kroger is making it easy for customers to help “Can Hunger” in their communities through donations to local Feeding America Food Banks. From now through Dec. 24, Kroger customers can purchase $1, $3 or $5 icons to help provide food for area families in need. 

“The Can Hunger campaign is a great opportunity for Kroger customers to give back to local families in need during the holiday season,” says Felix Turner, corporate affairs manager for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “It is consistently one of our most popular fundraisers. Over the years, our associates and customers have helped us supply food banks with countless meals for the communities we serve, and we hope to top that success this year.” 

The Can Hunger campaign aligns with The Kroger Co.’s national Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative. Through the social impact plan, Kroger has set a vision to end hunger in the places it calls home and to eliminate waste – especially food waste – in the company by 2025.

Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, is designed to address a fundamental absurdity in the nation’s food system: 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. is thrown away, yet one in eight Americans struggles with hunger. 

Here are some key Atlanta Division Zero Hunger | Zero Waste accomplishments:

Allocated $15 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) to Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB). The allocation will support the construction of a 345,000-square-foot food warehouse and distribution center, which will allow ACFB to place greater emphasis on fresh food rather than canned or dry goods.

Donated more than $6.1 million to end hunger division wide. Through several campaigns, Kroger has added new opportunities throughout the year for customers to donate and support Zero Hunger | Zero Waste in their community.

Provided more than 15.2 million meals to families in need in Kroger communities in 2017. Improved the company’s food rescue program to not only donate more food, but more balanced meals. 

Directed more than 2.8 million pounds of rescued food donated to local food partners. Working with local stores, Kroger has been able to reduce waste in all five fresh departments – Meat, Deli, Produce, Bakery and Dairy – allowing more balanced food donations to local partners and food banks. 

With the generosity of individuals and businesses who all share the same vision, Kroger can continue partnering with local food banks to help feed families in need across the country, and, hopefully, stop wasting the more 40 percent of U.S.-produced food that goes unconsumed each year.

To learn more about Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, visit www.thekrogerco.com. Follow the journey at #ZeroHungerZeroWaste.