Giant Food Hits Milestone In Its Food Waste Reduction Efforts
Giant Food has hit a new milestone in its efforts to combat food waste, having recycled nearly 80 million pounds of unsold food since 2022 through a partnership with Divert, Inc.
In June 2022, Divert launched a recycling program with the grocer to reduce the amount of unsold food products going to landfills and transform that material into beneficial products. The collaboration includes the 163 stores under the Giant Food banner across Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.
For food that cannot be marked down in stores or donated, Divert leverages anaerobic digestion to process the material into carbon-negative renewable energy and nutrient-rich soil amendment—thereby recouping the value of the food and advancing circularity.
“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. “Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every facet of our operation. 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.”
In addition to these environmental milestones, Giant Food has significantly increased its community impact by donating more than 6.1 million pounds of food in 2024—equivalent to approximately 5.1 million meals.
Through Giant Food’s Meat the Needs Program and Fresh Food Recovery, each Giant Food store partners with local food recovery partners such as churches, soup kitchens, local food banks, and Feeding America to donate food for quick distribution. This commitment helps fight food insecurity and reinforces the company’s dedication to sustainability and responsible resource management.
Together with the implementation of Divert’s recycling program and Giant Food’s food donations, the company prevented more than 35 million pounds of food from being wasted in 2024.
“Divert is proud of the meaningful impact we have achieved through our long-standing partnership with Ahold Delhaize USA and Giant Food, true trailblazers for sustainability in the food retail industry,” said Ryan Begin, CEO and co-founder of Divert, Inc. “Together, we are advancing a circular economy and transforming how we manage our resources. Not only is this an incredible milestone for Divert and Giant Food, but it’s also an illustration of what’s possible when we collaborate, commit to change, and reimagine our food systems for the better.”
