Last year, Pingo Doce donated around 536 tonnes of food to institutions in Funchal, under the ‘Alimenta o Bairro’ programme.
In a press note, the company highlights that the same programme collected, at a national level, the equivalent of 12 thousand tonnes of foodstuffs in 2025.
Pingo Doce says that supporting food shortages “is a priority,” so it regularly collaborates with social solidarity institutions in the communities surrounding its stores across the country.
In 2025, donations reached more than 550 institutions, in the form of surplus food that can no longer be marketed because it’s nearing the end of its shelf life, damaged packaging, but still complies with food safety standards.
“It is a great pride to know that we have been able to be increasingly present in the lives of our communities, supporting those who need it most. Year after year, we look for new ways to bring such an essential commodity as food to more people, helping to alleviate the difficulties of so many families and making a difference in their daily lives,” underlines Filipa Pimentel, Director of Sustainable Development and Local Impact at Pingo Doce.
Launched in 2024, ‘Alimenta o Bairro’ reinforced the scale and efficiency of Pingo Doce’s donation model, promoting a more active role of store teams in the fight against hunger and a more adjusted response to the needs of partner institutions.
Throughout 2025, the programme was optimised through the expansion of items eligible for donation, the increase in the frequency of in-store donations, and the training and capacity building of institutions and store employees. As part of this initiative, Pingo Doce has also launched a website dedicated to ‘Alimenta o Bairro,’ where institutions can consult information about the programme and submit requests for support.
Within its social support, which includes donations made under ‘Alimenta o Bairro,’ Pingo Doce responded, in 2025, to the appeal of around 1,330 social institutions in the areas of influence of its stores.
Support in food and monetary value exceeded 30 million euros, which represents a growth of 55% compared to 2024.
Also noteworthy is the partnership with the National Republican Guard (GNR) in supporting the elderly in situations of greater vulnerability. As part of this collaboration, more than 6,100 baskets with food, hygiene products, and blankets were delivered to about 1,800 elderly people.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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