Dillons Works Toward Zero Hunger, Zero Waste

Dillons’ Zero Hunger, Zero Waste initiative forms partnerships with food banks and pantries in their region to, as the name implies, simultaneously address food waste and food insecurity. Harvesters is a direct beneficiary of its Food Rescue program, which donates food that is edible but would otherwise be unsellable.  

“Associates hated throwing perfectly good food away just because it was falling short of an expiration date but still high-quality, wholesome, safe food to eat,” says Shelia Regehr, Dillons Corporate Affairs Manager. “So, whether it’s items from the meat department, or the frozen food department or produce, we work with food bank partners just like Harvesters to make sure that it ends up on a table instead of the landfill.”  

Dillons stores across Harvesters’ service region have food drive barrels and round up fundraisers at the store throughout the year, frequently matching customer donations. Dillons has worked with the Harvesters staff to coordinate large Community partner food purchases for Healthy Family Meal Kits and Holiday Box packing engagements. In June, KSNT hosted their Founders Day food drive at two Dillons store locations which provided 467 Healthy Family Meal Kits.  

Addressing hunger is at the heart of everything Dillons does. “We’re a food business and so, it’s our job to feed people, whether they’re coming through the registers or they’re needing assistance from our food bank partners,” Sheila says. “Partnerships with these agencies to help end hunger in our communities. It’s our number one priority for our organization, because that is what our customers tell us is important.”