McDonald’s Donates $3.1 Million in Food to U.S. Communities during COVID-19 Outbreak

McDonald’s three legged stool – Owner/Operators, suppliers and the company – work together to support the local communities McDonald’s restaurants serve

(CHICAGO, April 9, 2020) – McDonald’s today announced it has donated $3.1 million dollars in food to support local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the donations equate to nearly 3 million total pounds of food, including dairy, beef, produce, fruit and bakery items. In the last few weeks, McDonald’s donated over 1.2 million pounds of 100% USDA-inspected beef, specifically.

“During this unprecedented time, McDonald’s is guided by the belief that we are all in this together. Our system is responding in big and small ways to help our customers, including donating food to those in need.” said Marion Gross, Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America. “We’re here to serve communities – that has been our guiding compass for the past 65 years and remains at the heart of everything we do, now more than ever.”  

McDonald’s is partnering across its system amidst this crisis to help ensure that excess food and ingredients from menu items originally produced and destined for McDonald’s restaurants will serve its purpose in feeding communities nationwide. Together, with longtime partner Food Donation Connection (FDC) and local charitable organizations, the extra food will be distributed via local charities and food banks to those in need – including children and families.

“Food Donation Connection continues to be impressed with how involved McDonald’s Owner/Operators are in supporting their communities. We appreciate how food donations from McDonald’s restaurants, suppliers and distribution centers make a significant impact on the ability of local non-profits to help people in need,” said Jim Larson, Vice President of Development, Food Donation Connection.

Consolidated Food Donation Highlights:

• $3.1 million dollars in food donated to support local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic to date. Donation equates to nearly 3 million total pounds of food across dairy, beef, produce, fruit and bakery items, including:
  • Over 1.2 million pounds of 100% USDA-inspected beef
  • More than 1.1 million pounds of dairy like white and chocolate milk, buttermilk and yogurt
  • Over 433,000 pounds of bakery items such as bagels, cookies and pies
  • More than 62,000 pounds of fresh produce including apple slices, diced apples, salad blends, shredded lettuce, green leaf lettuce, slivered onions and Roma tomatoes
  • Over 52,000 pounds of granola and other miscellaneous ingredients

"I’m proud that the three-legged stool of McDonald's – supported by our incredible franchisees, our valued suppliers and the company – have come together in meaningful ways to help our communities during this time," said Jon Kelley, McDonald’s Owner/Operator and National Supply Chain Leadership Chair. "Many of our franchisees have been donating food to people in need in their local communities. Leveraging the strength of our world-class supply chain will help make an even greater impact.”

McDonald’s efforts are grounded in the unique strength of its entire system – from small businesses in nearly 14,000 local communities throughout the US to partnership across its supply chain. During these challenging circumstances, McDonald’s is committed to working hand in hand with supplier partners and Owner/Operators to mobilize additional resources at the local level in response to COVID-19, including:

• Supporting local Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Chapters, who’ve had to temporarily suspend volunteer meal programs in order to protect the health of children and families, by delivering food and meals to support RMHC in its mission to help families with sick children stay close during difficult times.
• With thousands of franchisees who own and operate their local McDonald’s restaurants in the communities they live and work in, many are helping give back in big ways by serving free meals and more to those on the front lines.
• Nearly all McDonald’s U.S. restaurants remain open to safely serve those who are essential and are offering convenient and contactless ways for customers to enjoy delicious favorites through drive thru, carry out, McDelivery, and Mobile Order & Pay with our App.
• McDonald’s has also made commitments to support truck drivers across the country and donated $1 million dollars to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund to ensure non-profits in our home state have the supplies they need during this time.

McDonald’s is led by its purpose to feed and foster community around the country by reliably providing delicious, safe food every day and particularly in times of crisis.

More information on McDonald’s COVID-19 relief efforts can be found here.