Aldi will be donating surplus supplies to a charity which distributes food to families in need.

Borehamwood's latest supermarket has linked up with Gratitude - a five-year operation which includes a pantry in Grenfell Close.

It is run by husband and wife John and Sheila Carlisle.

Aldi will give surplus food directly to the Gratitude Communitea Party, which provides a free lunch for vulnerable families, elderly people and those with mental illnesses every week.

The new partnership follows on from a successful trial between the supermarket and community engagement platform, Neighbourly, which has already donated one million meals to charities across the UK in 2019.

Mr Carlisle, Gratitude co-founder, said: "We are hopeful we will get lots of food. So many people have found this extremely helpful to them. We already work closely with other supermarkets but now long-term, we know we will be able to provide for the people who use this service."

Borehamwood Times:

Inside the pantry run by the Carlisle's

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 Hertfordshire.

"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."

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

Aldi Borehamwood opens tomorrow (Thursday). Doors open at 8am with the first 30 customers through the doors receiving a free bag of fresh fruit and vegetables from the budget supermarket's Super 6 range.

To get involved with Gratitude, email sheilacarlisle.gratitude@gmail.com