Dollar General aims to offer fresh produce in more than 10,000 stores in the coming years, with a meaningful number of stores located in United States Department of Agriculture food deserts. The company offered fresh fruits and vegetables in nearly 3,900 stores as of May 5, with plans to have produce in 5,000 stores by January 2024, which is expected to give Dollar General more individual points of produce distribution than any other U.S. mass retailer or grocer and halfway through its commitment.

The company's efforts toward expanding nutrition extend to its charitable giving as well. Dollar General made a $1 million donation to Feeding America to commemorate the third anniversary of the organizations’ partnership. With this donation, Dollar General has now donated more than $3 million to Feeding America, as well as in-kind food donations from stores and distribution centers across the country, equating to more than 13.4 million meals since announcing its formal partnership in 2021.

“Millions of U.S. households struggle with food insecurity, and through our extensive supply chain and unique store footprint, we are able make a difference through our Feeding America partnership to help address hunger in our hometown communities,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General’s vice president of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. “Since 2021, we have donated millions in funding and in-kind products to the Feeding America network of food banks to stock food pantries, support food distribution efforts and assist school backpack feeding programs. We are grateful for their efforts to help eliminate hunger and nourish our neighbors in need and proud to continue our support.”

Dollar General first announced its partnership with Feeding America in 2021, bringing together the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization and the nation’s largest retailer by store count. At full operational capacity, Dollar General seeks to provide up to 20 million meals each year, which will not only help alleviate hunger in the communities it calls home, but also nearly double the number of stores that Feeding America services.

“The movement to end hunger needs all of us. We are grateful that Dollar General is an important partner in that movement, as we work together to help people across the nation access the nutritious food they need to thrive,” said Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot.