DISCOUNT supermarket Aldi has donated 4,300 meals in Somerset over the festive period, marking a sustainable future ahead to those in need, in collaboration with Neighbourly, a platform that links businesses to charitable organisations.

The food collection was carried out by Aldi pairing up with its outlets in Somerset, to collect unsold fresh and frozen food on Christmas Eve.

The initiative will run till December 31.

Liz Fox, corporate responsibility director at Aldi UK, said: "We are incredibly proud to have supported so many amazing charities and community groups in Somerset this Christmas, helping them to provide warm and healthy festive meals to those in need."

She added: “We know that the festive period will have been a particularly challenging time for so many this year which is why we also launched our Emergency Foodbank Fund, allowing us to support even more organisations at a time of heightened demand.”

Aldi's Emergency Winter Food Bank saw the supermarket donating £250,000 to charitable organisations throughout the festive season.

Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, said: “Christmas is always a busy time for charities and food banks, but this year was, without doubt, one of the busiest.

"The donations from Aldi are vital for so many people and we are really pleased to be working together to help those in need again this year.”

Aldi's 980 UK stores donate large amounts of food to support good causes all year round with over 27 million meals donated altogether in support with Neighbourly since 2019.