Sainsbury’s will donate “every penny” from its own-label pasta sales towards fighting school holiday hunger this summer.
The campaign – which marks the return of its long-running Nourish the Nation charity partnership with Comic Relief – will run until 1 August. It will contribute an estimated “one million meals” on the basis that Sainsbury’s sells around 850,000 bags a week on average, the supermarket said.
Sainsbury’s is also donating £1.8m to fund 200 school holiday clubs, creating over 100,000 additional places, the supermarket said.
“Summer is a time where food shapes joyful memories for many people across the UK, but with food poverty remaining one of the most urgent challenges of our time, the reality for millions of families this summer will be very different,” said Ruth Cranston, Sainsbury’s director of sustainability.
“We’re supporting incredible organisations through our Nourish the Nation programme to alleviate food poverty and help everyone access quality, nutritious food. This includes our support for holiday clubs over the summer as well as funding for 15 new school-based food clubs around the UK that will provide year-round support to families facing food poverty,” Cranston said.
“But there’s more to be done, so we’re delighted that our customers can play their part this summer by purchasing their favourite Sainsbury’s own-label pasta, helping us to fund one million meals and bringing us closer to a future where everyone has access to the joy of good food, every mealtime.”
It’s the second year in a row that Sainsbury’s has targeted its Nourish the Nation donations specifically at the issue of school holiday hunger. In 2024, it partnered with supplier Mars, which contributed part of the sales of its Dolmio brand in stores.
Thousands of children locked out of food clubs
Sainsbury’s donations would be focused at helping the estimated 900,000 children across the UK who, despite experiencing food poverty, remain ineligible for government-funded food clubs, which only run for part of the summer in England.
“The number of children at risk of going hungry over the summer holidays is deeply concerning,” said Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief.
“Many parents will find it incredibly difficult, or even impossible, to find the extra money to provide more food at home with household finances already stretched to breaking point.
“Holiday clubs are a vital lifeline for families who are struggling. We are proud to be working with our partner, Sainsbury’s, to provide thousands more holiday club places for those who need it most this summer and even more for future school holidays,” Patel said.
“The fantastic organisations we fund across the UK not only provide hot nutritious meals, but a safe place for children to have fun and enjoy their time off school, as every child should,” added Patel.
Shoppers will also be able to top up donations at the checkout in store, online or via Nectar.
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