Community engagement

• On this page:
• Our approach
• Developing insight
• Sharing best practices
• Objectives
• Supporting the communities we serve

Our approach

Community involvement and charitable giving are part of our customer focus. As active members of the communities we serve, we have the means and the responsibility to make a difference in the lives of our stakeholders.

We listen to our customers and are committed to supporting causes that they, as well as our employees and other stakeholders, believe are important. We work to be active, contributing members of society, particularly the local communities where our stores are located. To make the most impact, we focus on our strengths as a food retailer, our store locations, which are the focal points of many communities, and on our employees' expertise on food-related topics.

Developing insight

In all of our markets our stores are an integral part of the community. Our employees work in the neighborhoods we serve, and many customers may visit our stores several times a week. These close ties enable us to appreciate local needs. > read more

Sharing best practices

Community engagement through charitable giving is particularly strong in our U.S. companies. Our employees here are engaged in supporting numerous causes in their communities and have a track record in choosing the right causes and putting programs in place to effectively benefit stakeholders. They combine financial donations and promotions with strong local partnerships and solicit donations from customers and employees on behalf of worthy causes. > read more

Objectives

Our objectives in community engagement are to support and engage in the communities we serve by:

1. Integrating our community activities into our daily business operations for maximum customer awareness.
2. Focusing programs on the operating company or local level, where we are closest to the communities we serve.

All of our activities in community engagement are designed to meet these two objectives. Many of our programs also complement Ahold's commitment to CSR goals such as promoting healthy lifestyles, sustainable sourcing and environmental responsibility.

Supporting the communities we serve

Our companies participate directly in community events, sponsor charitable causes and organize fundraising activities to meet the needs of their individual markets. > read more