Giant Food has processed nearly 80 million pounds of unsold food products since the June 2022 launch of a food waste prevention program in partnership with circular economy company Divert. The impact has offset 37,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 8,630 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.
For food that cannot be marked down in stores or donated, the Divert recycling program also includes anaerobic digestion for processing these materials into carbon-negative renewable energy and nutrient-rich soil amendment, recouping the value of the food and advancing circularity.
“Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every facet of our operation,” said Diane Hicks, SVP of Operations at Giant Food, a 163-store supermarket chain serving the greater Washington, D.C. area, in a statement. “We’re proud to lead the way in transforming how the industry handles unsold food, and we’re excited to continue driving positive change for our customers, our communities and the environment.”
In July 2022 Giant Food brought back its Local Produce Boxes program, which features locally sourced items from farms in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. More recently, the retailer boosted its community impact by donating more than 6.1 million pounds of food in 2024, equivalent to 5.1 million meals. Through the retailer’s Meat the Needs Program and Fresh Food Recovery, each store partners with local food recovery partners such as churches, soup kitchens and Feeding America to donate wholesome food for quick distribution.
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In combination with the Divert recycling program, Giant Food’s various programs prevented more than 35 million pounds of food from being wasted in 2024.
A number of retailers have begun addressing the food waste challenge. In March 2024 the Save Mart Companies partnered with Flashfood to help divert food waste from landfills. Earlier this month, Starbucks joined the U.S. Food Waste Pact, a data-sharing collaboration with companies including Ahold Delhaize USA, Aldi U.S., Amazon Fresh, Raley’s, Walmart and Whole Foods Market.
