Giant Food, a prominent grocery chain in the Washington D.C. area, has partnered with Divert, Inc., a company dedicated to creating a circular economy, to address the issue of unsold food waste. Since initiating their collaboration in June 2022, the two companies have successfully processed nearly 80 million pounds of unsold food, effectively preventing it from ending up in landfills. This effort has resulted in the mitigation of over 37,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, underscoring the environmental impact of their initiative.
The collaboration includes all 163 Giant Food stores across Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington D.C. Unsold food items that can’t be discounted or donated are processed by Divert, Inc. using anaerobic digestion technology. This process transforms the waste into carbon-negative renewable energy and nutrient-rich soil amendments.
In addition to waste reduction efforts, Giant Food has significantly increased its community impact by donating more than 6.1 million pounds of food in 2024, which is equivalent to 5.1 million meals. Through the brands ‘Meat the Needs Program’ and ‘Fresh Food Recovery’, each Giant Food store partners with local organizations, such as churches, soup kitchens, and food banks to distribute wholesome food efficiently to those in need. Combined with their recycling program, Giant Food prevented more than 35 million pounds of food from being wasted in 2024 alone.
Leadership from both brands has expressed pride in their collaborative achievements. “Partnering with Divert has allowed us to make a tangible difference in reducing food waste and supporting our communities, said Diane Hicks, Senior Vice President of Operations at Giant Food. “We’re proud to lead the way in transforming how the industry handles unsold food, and we’re excited to continue driving positive change for our customers, our communities, and the environment.”
Learn more here: Giant Food and Divert, Inc. Prevent Nearly 80 Million Pounds of Unsold Food from Being Wasted | Business Wire