Aldi is set to donate an additional 1.2m meals to families in need this year, in partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing.

The discounter is expanding its collaboration with the charity after a successful trial at three regional distribution centres which saw 455,000 meals donated last year.

This will allow Aldi to donate items which could not be sold in stores, such as products with packaging damage or labelling errors.

Luke Emery, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: “Expanding this initiative across all of our Regional Distribution Centres marks an important step in how we reduce waste and continue to support our communities.

“Through our partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing, we’re ensuring that even more surplus food is redirected to families who need it most, rather than going to waste.”

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Building on the successful trial, the discount retailer will now rollout the initiative across all the remaining regional distribution centres this year.

The Bread and Butter Thing is the UK’s largest member-based excess redistribution charity, which operates food clubs in communities including Maidstone and Northumberland.

Vic Harper, CEO at The Bread and Butter Thing, said: “Demand for fresh, affordable food support remains high in many communities, and this partnership plays an important role in helping us meet that need. We’re pleased to be working with Aldi to grow this impact across more communities.”

This is part of Aldi’s wider commitment to helping communities in need, also partnering with other UK charities such as Neighbourly and Company Shop Group to provide meals.