Sainsbury’s urges shoppers to buy 1 item in stores by August 1

Sainsbury’s is urging shoppers to buy one specific item in its stores by August 1 to help tackle school holiday hunger. The supermarket chain has teamed up with Comic Relief to help provide one million meals to families who need them the most over the summer holidays. The collaboration sees the chain donating every penny from sales of its own-label pasta from July 9 until August 1. Sainsbury’s sells more than 850,000 packs of pasta per week on average and now this family favourite can now help to raise vital funds for struggling parents. 

Sainsbury’s sells a wide variety of own-brand pasta in stores, most of which is available to buy in stores for less than £1. Shoppers can get a 500g pack of Sainsbury’s own spaghetti for just 28p, a 500g pack of penne pasta for 41p, or the same size bag of fusilli pasta for 65p, for example. 

Sainsbury’s is urging customers to buy a pack of its own-label pasta in stores by August 1 to help support Comic Relief and bring meals to families who are experiencing food poverty.

Ruth Cranston, Director of Sustainability at Sainsbury’s said: “Summer is a time where food shapes joyful memories for many people across the UK, but with food poverty remaining one of the most urgent challenges of our time, the reality for millions of families this summer will be very different

“We’re supporting incredible organisations through our Nourish the Nation programme to alleviate food poverty and help everyone access quality, nutritious food. This includes our support for holiday clubs over the summer as well as funding for 15 new school-based food clubs around the UK that will provide year-round support to families facing food poverty.

“But there’s more to be done, so we’re delighted that our customers can play their part this summer by purchasing their favourite Sainsbury’s own-label pasta, helping us to fund 1 million meals and bringing us closer to a future where everyone has access to the joy of good food, every mealtime.”

The supermarket is also funding more than 100,000 holiday club places across the UK this summer in partnership with Comic Relief, helping to provide children with free, healthy meals and access to activities including cooking, music lessons and sports over the school break.

Samir Patel, Chief Executive of Comic Relief added: “The number of children at risk of going hungry over the summer holidays is deeply concerning. Many parents will find it incredibly difficult, or even impossible, to find the extra money to provide more food at home with household finances already stretched to breaking point.

“Holiday clubs are a vital lifeline for families who are struggling. We are proud to be working with our partner, Sainsbury’s, to provide thousands more holiday club places for those who need it most this summer and even more for future school holidays. The fantastic organisations we fund across the UK not only provide hot nutritious meals, but a safe place for children to have fun and enjoy their time off school, as every child should."

“Sainsbury’s customers can help to fund vital initiatives that support families in future school holidays by purchasing own-label Sainsbury’s pasta until 1st August, with every penny from the sales donated to Comic Relief to fund initiatives for next summer, or by making a monetary donation in store, online or via Nectar.”