A SUPERMARKET in Oswestry will be donating surplus food every week to vulnerable people in the area.

Both of the Aldi stores in the town will be taking part in a new initiative that sees excess food donated to local groups or charities who will then redistribute the food to those in need.

Food being donated includes perishable items such as; fresh fruit and vegetables, long-life items and baked goods.

Oswestry's stores have been partnered with Oswestry Foodbank and The Meadows Primary School, who have been collecting the food up to five days a week.

Fritz Walleczek, managing director of corporate responsibility at Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “We’re always looking for new and creative ways to increase the amount of food we are able to donate. This partnership is enabling us to distribute even more surplus stock, while supporting a vast range of good causes, across Shropshire.”

Eight stores in Shropshire have rolled out the scheme after a successful trial between the supermarket and community engagement platform Neighbourly.

Last year Aldi donated two million meals to charity and this is expected to increase by 50 per cent this year now that the trial has been extended to its 827 stores.

Mr Wallecze added: “Our aim is for fresh, healthy food to be accessible for everyone, and Neighbourly are helping us to extend this commitment beyond our affordable range of fresh products.”

Steve Butterworth, Neighbourly chief executive officer, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Aldi on this programme and to help them realise their ambition to benefit those communities local to each and every one of their stores across the UK.

"Food surplus is a challenge Aldi is committed to playing its part to address.

"This approach is critical to ensure surplus food finds its way easily to the good causes supporting those communities that need it most."

Any local charities in Oswestry looking to partner up with an Aldi store should email aldi@neighbourly.com to apply.