Turning the tables on need – with METRO Cash & Carry

METRO Cash & Carry is taking its responsibility as a good corporate citizen by supporting food banks in many countries.

A great idea, hundreds of thousands of volunteers, mega-motivation – such is the profile of food redistribution programs all over the world.  These charitable organizations, often called food banks, collect food from retailers and manufacturers to redistribute it to people in need. For years, METRO Cash & Carry has been supporting food banks by donating products such as fruit and vegetables, dairy and bakery products.

METRO Group started its support to food banks in the early years of the new millennium, by supporting the German network of food banks. Its food-oriented sales brands started donating foods that were not suited for sale, but in mint condition, to local food bank branches. Early 2008, over 750 of such local food banks exist in Germany alone. Currently, METRO Cash & Carry is rolling out its support of food charity organizations in several countries in which it operates.

Programs exist or are underway in e.g. Spain, Austria and Ukraine. Daily, dozens of METRO / MAKRO Cash & Carry stores donate numerous products to homeless, people who are unemployed or receiving social security. Combined with donations by other retailers and donations in kind by other sponsors (such as office and storage space, administrative costs, mobile phones and delivery vans), a vast contribution is made to the day-to-day work of food banks.

With the number of needy people on the increase on the one hand, and increased supply chain efficiency leading to a  reduced offer of food on the other , the food banks need ever more support.