Close to $2 million available to support Canadian programs to significantly reduce food waste and loss
BENTONVILLE, AR, July 31, 2017 /CNW/ - The Walmart Foundation today announced that it is making $1.87 million CAD ($1.5 million USD) available to fund proposals from eligible non-profit organizations working to reduce food waste in Canada. The Walmart Foundation is seeking proposals from qualified organizations that have experience in formulating, proposing, and implementing food waste reduction efforts. Requests between $250,000 and $1,000,000 (USD) will be considered.
The announcement builds on the retailer's commitment to reduce waste in its own operations and achieve zero waste in key markets, including Canada, by 2025. According to Walmart's Global Responsibility Report, the retailer has diverted 77% of waste from unsold food, other unsold products, and materials from landfill through a variety of initiatives including food donations, repurposing products, and composting. In Canada, Walmart diverts 81 per cent of its operational waste through programs which divert more than a dozen waste streams from landfill.
"Reducing food waste benefits communities by sending less food to landfills, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the resources required to meet food demand, and enhancing food security," said Kathleen McLaughlin, chief sustainability officer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and president of the Walmart Foundation. "Canadian organizations are doing tremendous work in this arena, and we are excited to provide additional support. Our goal is to fund innovation in communities, and help the best projects expand. Ultimately, we hope these grants, combined with our efforts to reduce food waste in our own stores and strengthen the charitable meal system, will make a meaningful contribution to reducing food waste in Canada."
Food waste is an urgent global issue, with substantial repercussions in terms of both food security and the environment. The United Nations Environment Programme reports that roughly one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tons — gets lost or wasted. In Canada, the cost of food waste was identified as $31 billion in 2014, according to a report from Value Chain Management International, up 15 per cent from 2010.
About the Grants
This funding seeks to support promising programs that have the potential to significantly reduce food waste and loss – with the ultimate goals of preventing loss, maximizing donations of usable food, and minimizing food waste that ends up in landfills. Applications will be considered in three areas:
Walmart's Food Waste Efforts
Walmart is working to achieve zero waste across its operations in key markets – including Canada – by 2025. Walmart Canada's commitment to reducing food waste includes selling food that is nearing its best before date at a discounted price as part of a Customer Value Program. The retailer has also donated more than five million pounds of food to food banks across the country through a comprehensive food diversion program which pairs Walmart Canada stores with a local food bank and ensures good food is donated to those who need it most, aligning with Walmart's commitment to provide 4 billion meals globally. Today, 244 of Walmart Canada's stores send organic waste for composting or anaerobic digestion so it doesn't end up in municipal landfill. Walmart also continues to work with suppliers to improve packaging and food handling processes to maintain quality and freshness.
How to Apply
Click here to learn more and apply. Deadline: August 21, 2017 by 11:59 p.m. PDT/PST
About Philanthropy at Walmart
By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. Walmart has stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.3 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate. We are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart's giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.
About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of more than 405 stores nationwide serving more than 1.2 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, walmart.ca is visited by 600,000 customers daily. With more than 90,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada's extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart Canada has raised and donated $250 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/walmartcanada.
SOURCE Walmart Canada
Media Contact: Canada: Anika Malik, Walmart Canada, [email protected]; Media Contact: US: Marilee McInnis, Walmart International, [email protected]
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