Local Safeway shoppers more than doubled the 2019 campaign totals, generously donating 123,040 gallons of milk for families in need

During National Dairy Month (June 1-30), Safeway and Safeway Foundation partnered with Feeding America® – the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization –to fight childhood hunger and raised $454,018 through this year’s Great American Milk Drive. With millions of Americans out of work and free school meals harder to access, the need for hunger relief assistance is substantial. Safeway stores in the District of Columbia, Maryland,Virginia, and Delaware collected customer donations at check stands to help alleviate childhood hunger.

“Hunger has no boundaries. It’s a problem that exists in urban, suburban, and rural communities. That’s why Safeway and Safeway Foundation are committed to being part of the solution,” said Matthew Boyd, Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising for Safeway’s Eastern Division. “We’re delivering 123,040 gallons of fresh milk to our local food banks, which is needed now more than ever. We are grateful to our Safeway customers for their generosity and support.”

Due to school closures during the COVID-19 crisis, children nationwide may lose access to free or reduced-price meals at schools, including the nourishment of milk. Many families have already been struggling to provide for their children. That’s why food banks, like those in the Feeding America network, play a critical role right now.

Milk is one of the most requested but least donated items at food banks, and it can be difficult to meet the demand. The 46 million Americans who traditionally rely on Feeding America typically receive less than one gallon of milk per person per year. America’s milk brands and dairy farmers are committed to fighting hunger and providing nutritional milk through this partnership with Feeding America.

“Local dairy farmers like me are committed to working every day to provide our communities with a nutritious and wholesome product,” said Dairy Farmer Walter Rutledge of Rutledge Brickhouse Farms in Jarrettsville, Md. “During this challenging time, we are working harder than ever to ensure that your local dairy aisle and food pantry is fully stocked with fresh, local milk.”

“Milk is the top food source for calcium, potassium and vitamin D, three of the four nutrients which are most likely to be missing in the American diet,” said Liz Jalkiewicz, RDN, LDN, Nutrition Specialist for American Dairy Association North East. “And the reality is, it’s tough for kids to get these important nutrients when they don’t have access to milk.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors across the country, since 2014, Feeding America and The Great American Milk Drivehave delivered more than 2.1 million gallons of milk – that’s over 35million servings – to children and families in need.

About Safeway and Safeway Foundation

Safeway and its Eastern Division are part of Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI). Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. The Eastern Division operates stores in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Delaware. Safeway is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. Safeway Foundation, part of Albertsons Companies Foundation, supports causes that impact Safeway customers' lives. Our stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through generous contributions by our customers, our employees' passion, and partnerships with our vendors. We focus on giving locally in the areas of hunger relief, cancer research and treatment, education, veterans, and helping people with disabilities. During 2019, Safeway Foundation in Safeway’s Eastern Division invested more than $2.2 million in our neighborhoods. In addition, the division donated more than $1.1 million in food and other products to food banks and community organizations. For more information, visit www.safeway.com and www.safewayfoundation.org.

About Feeding America

Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About MilkPEP

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk companies, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The MilkPEP Board runs the Milk Life campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the powerful nutritional benefits of milk – with 9 essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, in each 8 ounce glass. For more information, go to milklife.com. Campbell Ewald is creative agency for the Milk Life campaign – from America’s milk companies.

About American Dairy Association North East

American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) is the local affiliate of the National Dairy Council® and the regional consolidation of three promotion organizations including the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. Committed to nutrition education and research-based communications, ADANE provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Funded by dairy checkoff dollars from nearly 10,000 dairy farm families in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and northern Virginia, ADANE works closely with Dairy Management Inc.™ to bring a fully integrated promotion program to the North East region. For more information, visit www.AmericanDairy.com.