Aldi donated 391 meals to local good causes to help people in need over the Easter school holidays.
The supermarket’s stores across the UK have paired up with local charities, community groups and foodbanks through its partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly.
More than 550,000 meals were donated throughout the UK, with almost 2,000 UK causes benefitting from the initiative in total.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK,said:“We understand that the school holidays can be an especially challenging time for families, particularly amid the current cost-of-living crisis.
“Neighbourly carries out such vital work in the community, so we’re proud to be able to support them and the charities, foodbanks and community groups they work with in Midlothian in their efforts to support those who may be struggling.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “The impact of the cost-of-living crisis has intensified, meaning that the demand on foodbanks is continuing to increase, particularly during the school holidays.
“The donations from Aldi are a lifeline for many and provide the essential boost good causes need to continue supporting their local communities.”
Aldi has officially donated 30 million meals to good causes since launching its food donations initiative in 2019, with 137,938 meals being donated to local communities in Edinburgh.
In partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly, all of the supermarket’s stores in Edinburgh are partnered with foodbanks, charities and community groups, who receive surplus food year-round.
As a result of the successful partnership, more than 4,000 good causes across the country have now benefitted from the scheme, including soup kitchens and children’s breakfast clubs.
The milestone follows Aldi’s donation of £250,000 to Neighbourly to launch its Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund to further support increased demand during the cold months.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “Donating 137,938 meals in Edinburgh through our partnership with Neighbourly is an amazing achievement, with the initiative now more vital than ever for local community groups and charities who face soaring demand.
“We’re committed to doing all that we can to support people in the communities where we trade, and through our partnership with Neighbourly we have helped to make food more accessible for those in Edinburgh.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added:“We’ve worked with Aldi for several years to help them further their support for those in need.
“The cost-of-living crisis is impacting communities in Edinburgh and we’ve seen the demand on foodbanks and local causes increase drastically since our partnership began.
“The support of the public and businesses like Aldi makes a huge difference. We know the donations have helped thousands of charities, community groups and families in need.”
Aldi has also recently extended its partnership with Company Shop Group to help excess stock from its network of Regional Distribution Centres be redistributed to community stores across the UK.
Charities and community groups interested in working with Aldi should contact Neighbourly at aldi@neighbourly.com.
Aldi has announced it is currently looking to hire 129 colleagues in Edinburgh and The Lothians.
The supermarket is looking for people of all levels of experience to fill roles across the region, with pay rates of up to £12.40 an hour.
This includes full and part-time positions such as Store Management Apprentice and Store Assistant, all the way up to Deputy Manager.
Stores in Edinburgh and The Lothians, where Aldi is looking to hire, include Chesser, Dalkeith, and Hermiston Gait.
The recruitment push forms part of Aldi’s nationwide expansion drive, with the supermarket opening a number of new stores across the UK in the next year. Aldi is also currently recruiting for 450 jobs at its 11 Regional Distribution Centres up and down the country.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK, said:“Demand for Aldi has never been higher as more and more people realise they can make significant savings on every shop without compromising on quality. It’s more important than ever that we are making it even easier for more people to shop with us – including by opening dozens of new stores.
“Our success is dependent on the amazing work that colleagues do, day in and day out, and we’re looking forward to welcoming thousands more colleagues to Team Aldi throughout 2023.”
Store Assistants at Aldi receive a starting pay of £11.00 an hour nationally, rising to £11.90, and £12.45 rising to £12.75, within the M25, with the supermarket also paying for breaks. Meanwhile, Aldi recently increased pay rates for around 7,000 warehouse workers, with Warehouse Selectors now receiving a minimum starting salary of £13.18 per hour.
Those interested in applying for a career with Aldi can visit:
Popular discount supermarket Aldi Scotland has launched Al-date, an exclusive dating service that helps lovebirds find romance this Valentine’s Day.
Testing the theory that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, Al-Date is designed to encourage users to understand their love-type and help them bag a date on the most romantic day of the year.
Inspired by Aldi’s exceptional range of Valentine’s Day products, which includes everything shoppers need for a romance packed day, from its popular Love Heart Shaped Lorne Sausage (£1.29, 150g) to Specially Selected Sirloin Steak (£4.75, 227g), Scottish Vintage Cheddar Cheese (£1.69, 200g) and Specially Selected Chocolate Mini Cupcakes (£2.19, 9 pack), users will be asked a series of questions which gets to the crux of their dating habits.
They will then be served personalised advice and chat up lines, especially curated for use in the real world or on dating apps.
Launching on Friday 10 February, the online service will have hearts melting across the country. The service can be accessed at https://al-date.com/
Olive Yew, a spokesperson for Aldi Scotland, said: “Dating can be as tough as an overcooked steak, but on the most romantic day of the year, everyone deserves a wingman to help them in love.
“Whether you are looking to spice things up with a long-term partner, turn up the heat on a new relationship or simply make that initial approach, our Aldi-inspired chat up lines are an easy way to break the ice.
“Food plays such an important role in modern dating, and once again we have an exceptional range of special Valentine’s Day products on sale at everyday amazing Aldi prices.
“Our ever popular Love Heart Lorne Sausage – the perfect addition to breakfast in bed – will be back on sale from 9 February, and our Scotch Sirloin Steak is sure to get things sizzling over a candle-lit dinner. For your sweetheart with a sweet tooth, we have our beautiful Mini Cupcakes, while those looking for something a little more cheesy can finish off the meal with Scottish Vintage Cheddar Cheese and biscuits.
“What’s more, most of our Valentine’s Day products are created right here in Scotland from our fantastically talented local producers. Aldi Scotland works with over 90 Scottish suppliers who use the highest quality ingredients and produce from the country’s rich larder, and we bring them to shoppers’ plates at unbeatable prices.”
Aldi is rolling out its partnership with the world’s largest surplus food platform, Too Good To Go, to all of its stores in Edinburgh and Lothians.
Following a successful trial last year, the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket is making the surplus food bags available nationwide, in a bid to tackle food waste while also offering even lower prices to customers.
The ‘Magic Bags’ will contain a range of grocery products that are approaching their sell-by or use-by dates at less than a third of the price, costing just £3.30 each to purchase for at least £10 worth of food.
To get a Magic Bag, shoppers can download the free Too Good To Go app and search for their nearby Aldi store, before reserving a bag to collect from the store at an allotted time.
The nationwide roll out is expected to save a further 4,000 tonnes of food from going to waste annually and will form a key part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to cut food waste.
In addition, all of Aldi’s UK stores in Edinburgh and Lothians will continue to donate surplus food to local causes 365 days of the year. Since 2019, the supermarket has donated more than 30 million meals via its successful partnership with Neighbourly.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said:“Rolling out our partnership with Too Good To Go is another way of allowing us to cut down on food waste, while also offering customers in Edinburgh and Lothians the opportunity to pick up our food at even lower prices.
“With the rising cost of living impacting so many, Too Good To Go offers a simple and accessible way for consumers to save money and reduce waste.”
Sophie Trueman, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Too Good To Go, added:“We’re thrilled to be officially launching our partnership with Aldi nationally.
“Having already had fantastic feedback during a successful trial period, I know our Too Good To Go community in Edinburgh and Lothians is going to jump at the chance to save Aldi Magic Bags and prevent even more good food from going to waste.”
Aldi Scotland has launched its popular budget friendly Burns Night range.
In store from 19 January, the discount retailer is once again offering unbeatable prices on its celebratory Burns Supper spread meaning up to four diners can enjoy a full Scottish feast of haggis, neeps and tatties for just £0.81pp (£3.26 total*).
This year, Aldi Scotland will be serving up its exceptionally popular Macaulay’s Haggis at a promotional price of just £1.49 (454g). In addition, the retailer will also have a limited number of Simon Howie’s Specially Selected Chieftain Haggis for just £3.39 (908g). Made by the Perthshire-based butcher to the traditional Scots recipe, Simon Howie pride themselves on quality food at budget-friendly prices.
Simon Howie, Owner, Simon Howie Foods said: “All our haggis’ are made with quality ingredients to award-winning recipes and are the perfect choice for celebrating all things Scotland as we enjoy a fine meal and raise a glass this Burns night.
“It’s always a highlight in the calendar and we are thrilled to be partnering with Aldi Scotland, once again.”
A haggis feast is never complete without traditional ‘neeps and tatties’. Available at amazing Aldi prices, a 2.5kg bag of Maris Piper potatoes is just £0.99, while swedes are currently available at £0.39. For those adding a bit of culinary flair to their Burns Supper there are 1kg carrots (£0.29), white/red cabbage (£0.39 each), 1kg onions (£0.49) and 500g leeks (£0.99) available as part of the renowned ‘super six’ reduced range.
For customers looking to pick up a plant-based option, Aldi Scotland is stocking Macaulay’s Vegetarian Haggis (£1.49), as well as a gluten free option from Simon Howie (£1.99).
Not a fan of the ‘Great chieftain o the puddin’-race’? No problem, Aldi Scotland has a selection of products which offer a twist on the classic, including Punjab Pakora Haggis Pakora with a tomato and mint sauce (£1.59), Specially Selected Haggis Bon Bons (£2.29), Simon Howie’s Haggis Olives (£2.99), Specially Selected Beef and Haggis Pastry Parcels with Peppercorn Sauce (£3.99), and Simon Howie’s Curried Haggis Bon Bons (£1.99).
To wash down the Bard’s celebratory fayre, Aldi Scotland will be retailing a variety of Scotland’s favourite fizzy ginger including Barr’s 1901 Irn Bru (£1.99, 750ml), Irn Bru (£3.99, 12x 330ml), Irn Bru Sugar Free (£3.99, 12x 330ml) and Irn Bru Xtra (£3.99, 12x 330ml).
Aldi was named UK’s Cheapest Supermarket 2022 by consumer group Which? for the second year in a row.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Haggis is Scotland’s dish, and something that every Scot should sample at least once. Whether it’s the real deal, a vegetarian option, or haggis inspired pakora, with our Burns Night range there is something for every shopper.
“At Aldi we pride ourselves on being able to bring great, locally sourced, products to market that represent incredible value, and this Burns Night range is no different. Offering premium dishes at budget friendly prices, every one of our haggis dishes have been chosen for their exceptional quality and taste.
“In 2022 we continued to underline our commitment to Scottish suppliers and producers with the aim of bringing the best of Scotland’s vibrant food and drink sector to our customers. We are now pleased to be kicking off 2023 by once again working with so many of our long-standing suppliers in Scotland to offer our customers a fantastic range of products.”
Available at all 104 Scottish stores, Scots are guaranteed unbeatable bargains on all essential food and drink in honour of the country’s foremost poet.
Aldi continues to support to Scottish food and drink producers with 25% of its range now locally sourced in Scotland. The supermarket’s commitment to local produce was recognised at the 2022 Scottish Sourcing Business of the Year by Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Awards. The discount retailer also scooped 63 individual awards for their Scottish product offering in 2022.
Aldi supported local charities, community groups and food banks in Edinburgh and The Lothians on Christmas Eve by donating 14,530 meals to those in need.
Working with Neighbourly, the supermarket paired up its stores with local charity partners in the area to collect unsold fresh and chilled food when stores closed early on 24th December, with stores repeating the initiative on 31st December.
To further support local communities this year, Aldi’s Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund saw the supermarket also commit to donating £250,000 to charitable organisations throughout the winter season.
Both the festive food donations and fund are part of Aldi’s successful partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations.
All of Aldi’s 980 UK stores donate surplus food to good causes, all year round, with over 27 million meals donated to good causes since its partnership with Neighbourly began back in 2019.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are incredibly proud to have supported so many amazing charities and community groups in Edinburgh and The Lothians this Christmas, helping them to provide warm and healthy festive meals to those in need.
“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.”
Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added: “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 Scotland has shared three recipes to showcase the versatility of the Christmas dinner staple that is often left behind on our plates
Aldi Scotland has created three tantalising recipes that will leave the boiled, mushy brussels sprouts of our youth with a lot to answer for.
With three recipes that reinvent the scorned vegetable, Aldi is showcasing how we should all be eating our brussels this festive season. And at just 19p for a 500g as part Aldi’s super 6, each recipe offers fantastic quality for incredible value.
Working with East Lothian Produce, who have supplied the retailer with their brussels sprouts since 2012, Aldi Scotland has created three perfect dishes, including sprouts with a parmesan and garlic crumble, sprouts with a creamy mustard sauce, and a butternut and brussels pie, that showcase just how adaptable the humble vegetable can be.
East Lothian Produce and Aldi Scotland are encouraging customers to ditch the boring, boiled version we’ve all grown up with and try out the fool-proof recipes at home, which are sure to make the perfect side for your Christmas dinner.
Tracy McCullagh, East Lothian Produce, said:“Brussels sprouts are so much more versatile than you would imagine, and I think these recipes highlight how they can actually be the star of the show.
“I’d encourage Aldi customers across Scotland to give them a go – you may just surprise yourself.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“Brussels sprouts have endured a bad reputation over the years, and we want to change that.
“East Lothian Produce’s delicious sprouts can make the basis of so many sumptuous side dishes, which is obvious in these recipes. I’m sure our customers will love this different take on the traditional vegetable.”
Recipes:
Sprouts with a parmesan, garlic, and fresh thyme crumble
Serves: 4 people
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 18 minutes
Ingredients:
600g sprouts
30g butter
30g Specially Selected parmigiano cheese
50g plain flour
3g fresh sage – chopped
1 x tsp paprika
2 x peeled garlic cloves
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
Trim and wash the sprouts.
Cook in salted boiling water for 3 minutes and drain well.
Grate the Parmigiano cheese.
Mix the butter, grated cheese, sage, garlic, and flour together, then season with pepper and the paprika.
Rub the mixture together to make breadcrumbs.
Put the sprouts into an ovenproof dish – sprinkle over the crumble and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
Sprouts with mustard cream sauce
Serves: 6 people
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
400g sprouts, trimmed
200ml Scottish double cream
2 x tsp dijon mustard
20g pine nuts
1 x tsp paprika
8g fresh parsley
25ml olive oil infused with garlic
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6. Cut the sprouts in half and put onto a baking sheet – drizzle over the garlic oil and bake for 10 minutes.
Chop the parsley and put in a bowl along with the cream and mustard, then season with some salt and black pepper.
Once the sprouts are cooked, transfer to a baking dish. Mix in the mustard cream. Sprinkle over the paprika and the pine nuts, then bake for a further 10 minutes.
Serve piping hot.
Butternut and brussels pie
Serves: 6 people
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash
300g brussels sprouts
2 medium red onions
200g lighter garlic & herb soft cheese
750g puff pastry
35g pecan nuts
3g fresh rosemary
100ml olive oil
Sea salt
Black pepper
1 medium Scottish egg
10ml Scottish milk
Paprika
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6.
Peel the squash. Cut into small chunks, discarding any seeds.
Trim the sprouts. Cut in halves.
Peel and finely chop the onions.
Put the squash, sprouts and onions on a large baking sheet.
Drizzle the oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Roast in the oven for 25 minutes.
Allow to cool and put into a bowl.
Add the soft cheese.
Finely chop the rosemary and the pecan nuts, and add to the mix.
Mix all ingredients together.
Lightly grease a large baking sheet and put a pastry sheet on top.
Add the mixture on top.
Whisk the egg with the milk and paprika, then brush it on the exposed pastry.
Put the other sheet of pastry on top of the mixture.
Cut 5 slashes and brush all over with the egg and milk wash.
Aldi Scotland has developed a Christmas dinner recipe that can be made entirely in the air fryer for customers hoping to keep energy costs to a minimum this year.
The discount retailer has developed an alternative Christmas dinner recipe with BBC’s Great British Menu finalist and head chef of Edinburgh’s Angel’s with Bagpipes, Fraser Smith.
The centre piece for the Christmas dinner is Aldi’s Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint, that is paired with beef fat carrots, pancetta roast brussels sprouts, hasselback potatoes and red wine gravy.
Fraser has been trying and testing the air fryer to perfect an alternative cooking method for Christmas dinner this year.
Fraser said:“Airfryers offer a great alternative to oven cooking, they’re fast, compact and energy efficient.
“The results of cooking in them is the same as any oven, delicious and tender cooked meats and crispy delicious sides. I loved developing this recipe with Aldi and I hope others give it a try this festive season.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said:“We know that airfryers have soared in popularity this year and with energy costs still concerning families across Scotland we wanted to provide an alternative method to oven cooking Christmas dinner this year.
“Our take on a Christmas Dinner puts our limited edition Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint as the centre piece and provides a selection of delicious, family favourite sides.”
Roasted Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint with beef fat carrots, pancetta roast brussels sprouts, hasselback potatoes and red wine gravy
Ingredients:
4x large carrots
1x Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint
100g diced pancetta
600g brussels sprouts
750g baby potatoes
5g fresh thyme
1x bulb garlic
200ml red wine
10ml vegetable oil
Salt
Pepper
Method For the roast:
Wash four large carrots and place on the bottom of the air frying basket.
Score the fat on the Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint, rub in salt and cracked black pepper and place on top of the carrots in the air fryer basket.
Cut the garlic in half and place that, and half the thyme, in the basket.
Put the Galloway Beef and carrots in the air fryer at 200°c for 10 mins then reduce the temp to 180°c. Cook for an additional 20 mins per 500g for rare, 25 mins per 500g for medium, and 30 mins per 500g for well done.
While cooking, take time to baste the carrot and beef every half hour.
Once the beef is cooked to your liking, remove from the air fryer, cover in foil and allow to rest at room temperature for at least 20 mins.
Place the carrots back in the fryer, at 200°c, until they are cooked – this usually take 10 to 20 minutes depending on the size.
For the brussels sprouts:
Prepare the sprouts by removing the outer leaves and cutting them in half.
Place cut side up in the basket and cover with the chopped pancetta.
Place in the airfryer at 180°c for 20 minutes.
For the potatoes:
To prepare the hassleback potatoes, place the potato on a wooden spoon and make thin vertical slices through the potato being mindful not to cut all the way through – the wooden spoon should stop you cutting all the way through and splitting the potato.
Brush the slices potatoes with oil and sprinkle over some of the remaining thyme sprigs.
Place in air fryer at 200°c for 35 mins or until crispy.
This can be done in advance and the potatoes reheated just before serving.
For the gravy:
Make up some Aldi Specially Selected Beef Gravy as per instruction.
Add a splash of red wine to a warm pan, and reduce by half. Add this to the pre-made gravy.
Aldi is supporting local charities, foodbanks, and community groups in Edinburgh and the Lothians through its Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund this Christmas.
The supermarket’s Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund will see it donate £250,000 to help organisations as they prepare to face heightened demand on their services.
The fund builds on Aldi’s successful partnership with community engagement platform Neighbourly which enables all of Aldi’s 980 UK stores to donate surplus food seven days a week, all year round.
Aldi will also be introducing new signage in stores this Christmas to help highlight to customers the most in-demand items at foodbanks, as selected by the organisations themselves.
From early December, shoppers looking to donate to foodbanks should look out for the logo on shelves by certain items, such as baked beans, teabags and toiletries, which can then be dropped at the food donation points located by Aldi’s checkouts.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said:“We know that Christmas is already a particularly challenging time for many, but this year is understandably going to be even tougher for a lot of households.
“That’s why we’re more committed than ever to doing what we can to give back. We want to make food accessible for all and hope both our additional funding and donation drive will help to make a real difference in Edinburgh and the Lothians.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added:“The cost-of-living is impacting communities up and down the country and the charities we support are expecting to see demand increase even further over the coming months.
“Without the support of the public and businesses like Aldi we’d be unable to help those in need. Within our network there are many charities and community groups that will be able to put this funding to good use, to support families that are struggling.”
Aldi’s latest commitment follows a recent survey of Neighbourly charities which revealed that 72% will need more food items to help with increased demand this Christmas.
The items that were revealed to be most in-demand, and will be promoted in store to help drive donations this Christmas, included cereal, rice and pasta, tinned food and toiletries.
Charities and community groups interested in working with Aldi should contact Neighbourly at aldi@neighbourly.com.
