The Food Rescue Program reached a new record in 2024: distributing 1,586,382 food rations to its beneficiaries. This initiative, led by Jumbo, Disco, and Vea, collaborates with 18 Food Banks in Argentina and the Salvation Army, with the aim of strengthening the nutrition of thousands of people in the country through the donation of food and essential products.
In operation since 2011, this program has recovered to date 6,339,614 kilograms of food, equivalent to about 12,679,228 food rations.
Social and Environmental Commitment of the Food Rescue Program
In 2024, 277 branches and 4 distribution centers, located in 17 Argentine provinces, joined the project. Thanks to the dedication of the employees of Cencosud Argentina, products were collected to benefit 3,896 institutions, mainly serving children and adolescents (over 70% of the total).
The cornerstone of the program is to generate a positive impact both socially and environmentally, reducing food loss and food waste. Every year, 16 million tons of food are discarded in Argentina, while 6 out of 10 children do not meet their basic nutritional needs.
Additionally, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), food waste contributes between 8 and 10% to global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG).
In recognition of its work, during 2024, the program was awarded second place in the Conciencia Awards, in the Sustainability and Environment category.
From Supermarkets Cencosud, they state: “We continue to work tirelessly to optimize this project, focused on recovering food, cleaning products, personal hygiene items, and other essential goods. Thanks to the joint effort of our employees, Food Banks, and the Salvation Army, we have made it possible for a large number of people to have access to dignified nutrition, while contributing to the care of the environment by reducing waste volume.”
Food Waste per Day in CABA greengrocers exceeds 50 tons
A report from the Faculty of Agronomy of UBA (FAUBA) details the volume of waste per store and its economic impact, proposing strategies to reduce and reuse organic waste.
Greengrocers have become a key point of food waste, especially in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA).
According to the FAUBA study, each of the 2400 stores discards, on average, 22 kilograms of fruits and vegetables daily, representing about 50 tons of organic waste per day. This volume, in addition to its environmental impact, means an economic loss of up to US$26 per store daily.
The research was based on interviews with 46 greengrocers from different districts of the city and the analysis of waste samples from 17 stores. The most discarded products include fruit and leaf vegetables, such as tomatoes, eggplants, and lettuces, along with citrus fruits and cucurbits, such as oranges, watermelons, and melons.
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