Not a bean goes to waste- that’s our zero food waste goal

For many years, Countdown has donated food that we can no longer sell to charities that support New Zealanders in need.

In late 2011, Countdown took this commitment to a new level with the formalisation of an ongoing partnership with The Salvation Army to launch the Countdown Food Rescue programme.

Through Countdown Food Rescue, our team works hard to ensure not a grain of food goes to waste whilst actively contributing towards our zero food waste goal.

Watch our videos here to find out more about Countdown’s partnership with The Salvation Army and how Food Rescue works.

Countdown has partnered with The Salvation Army and now more than 125 Countdown stores have formalised ongoing partnerships with their local Salvation Army centres, working together to ensure that surplus food is put to good use and goes to the people who need it most.

In addition, Countdown has formed partnerships with other charities including 0800 Hungry in Christchurch and Fair Food in West Auckland which now collect perishable products such as produce, bread and other bakery items from a number of our stores.

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Help give someone what they really want this Christmas

At Christmas time, there is even more demand for The Salvation Army’s food parcels, and that’s why Countdown’s Food Rescue Appeal is back this Christmas. Together, Countdown stores across New Zealand have donated $80,000 worth of groceries to The Salvation Army to start things off, and we’re calling on Kiwis to help out too.

With more than 55,000 food parcels distributed nationwide by The Salvation Army every year, the number of families in need of support is expected to reach as many as 13,500 in December alone.  Helping somebody out can be as simple as picking up an extra box of cereal in your next food shop and putting it in the specially marked Food Rescue trolley.  A little something will go a long way!

Watch our videos here to find out more about Countdown’s partnership with The Salvation Army and how Food Rescue works. You can also read more information about the programme here.