Zaandam, The Netherlands, February 16, 2022 – To protect customers and employees and support local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ahold Delhaize and its brands spent €364 million in COVID-19 relief costs in 2021, including €20 million in additional charitable donations. In total, Ahold Delhaize and its local brands have contributed more than €199 million in monetary value in charitable donations across the world. Relief costs related to COVID-19 included health and safety measures and additional paid quarantine leave for local brand associates in the United States. Charitable donations include support for local and national charities, hospitals and institutes, aimed at supporting the communities various local brands operate.
“The past year has been volatile and unpredictable in many ways, which has affected many. After the difficulties we had already experienced in 2020, local communities again in 2021 faced unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic and natural disasters. We felt it was important to continue our support. I am proud that our local brands and associates are dedicated to fighting hunger and inequality, supporting children’s education and mental health initiatives and donating to hospitals. COVID-19 relief costs amount to almost a million euros a day, all year round. All in order to fill our vital role in these local societies and living our values,” said Frans Muller, Chief Executive Officer of Ahold Delhaize.
Here are some examples of charitable donations from our great local brands around the world:
- GIANT, USA, has donated $3.3 million to more than 160 school districts to help feed 475,000 students in four states.
- Albert Heijn, the Netherlands, has donated over €800,000 to the food aid programs of its permanent community partners.
- Hannaford, USA donated $400,000 to organizations that provide resources and support for people affected by mental illness.
- Mega Image, Romania, donated medical equipment for hospitals.
- Bol.com, the Netherlands, supported children’s education with a book donation worth €400,000 during Children’s Book Week.
- Albert, Czech, donated 1900 tons of food, the equivalent of 3.8 million meals.
- Stop & Shop in the United States delivered 21,500 turkeys – a total of nearly 340,000 pounds – to 25 community partners and hunger relief organizations through their Turkey Express program.
- Delhaize Serbia donated trucks to local food banks to support their logistics.
- Giant Food donated to six longtime nonprofit partners who focus on educational programs, mentorship and nutrition to reach African American communities.
- In 2021, Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express program delivered 21,500 turkeys to 25 community partners and hunger relief organizations.
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About Ahold Delhaize
Ahold Delhaize is one of the largest food retail groups in the world and a leader in both retail and e-commerce. Its family of leading local brands serves 54 million customers each week, in-store and online, in the United States, Europe and Indonesia. Together, these brands employ more than 410,000 people in 7,137 grocery and specialty stores and include the leading online retailer in the Benelux and leading online grocers in the Benelux and the United States. Ahold Delhaize brands are at the forefront of sustainable distribution, source responsibly, support local communities and help customers make healthier choices. The company’s focus on four growth drivers – driving omnichannel growth, raising healthy and sustainable standards, cultivating top talent and building operational excellence – helps it fulfill its purpose, achieve its vision and to prepare its brands and its activities for tomorrow. Based in Zaandam, the Netherlands, Ahold Delhaize is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and Brussels stock exchanges (ticker: AD) and its American Depositary Receipts are traded on the over-the-counter market in the United States and listed on the international market OTCQX (symbol: ADRNY). For more information, visit: www.aholddelhaize.com.
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The Stop & Shop Turkey Express program
