Atlante at the Colletta Alimentare 2025: ten years of participation and a year-round commitment

In a context where food poverty affects an increasing number of families, with almost 5.6 million people living below the poverty line in Italy, the Colletta Alimentare – the national food donation day organised by Fondazione Banco Alimentare – represents a simple and immediate gesture with a real impact. For Atlante, it is an annual appointment we have renewed for ten years, a commitment rooted in the value we assign to food and to the role a company can play within its community. Taking part means dedicating time, energy and attention, turning a day of volunteering into concrete support for those facing difficult circumstances.

The Colletta Alimentare and the role of Banco Alimentare

The Colletta Alimentare, the annual food collection initiative promoted by Fondazione Banco Alimentare, mobilises thousands of people across Italy to collect products for individuals and families in need.
For an entire day, supermarkets become places of shared action: customers can buy and donate food items, while volunteers organise, sort and prepare the collected goods. Banco Alimentare then delivers these products to a widespread network of local organisations, ensuring that food reaches those who need it most as quickly as possible. It is a simple and effective system that turns an individual gesture into immediate help.

The 2025 edition and ten years of Atlante’s participation

The 2025 edition confirmed the strength of collective participation. In Emilia-Romagna alone, 929 tonnes of food were collected, nearly 5 percent more than in 2024. Thousands of volunteers were present in more than 1,000 stores, contributing to a result that will support 132,000 people across the region. At national level, the Colletta exceeded 8,300 tonnes, destined for more than 1.7 million people.

Atlante has been part of the Colletta since 2015, participating consistently and in line with our approach to social responsibility.
“The Colletta is a simple day, yet for us it represents much more. For ten years it has been part of a broader journey, one that concerns our responsibility towards people and the way we choose to be present in the community. It means acting, not just joining,” says Natasha Linhart, CEO of Atlante.

This year, Atlante volunteers were present in two stores in Bologna: Ipercoop Centro Lame and Conad Superstore Centro Navile. The day began at the checkouts, with a steady flow of orange bags and the participation of customers, and continued with the sorting and organisation of the donated products. At Centro Lame alone, 3,600 kg of food were collected thanks to the generosity of customers and the commitment of volunteers.

Alongside Atlante volunteers, those from Bologna Business School, the International School of Bologna and Bologna FC also took part, confirming the value of involving younger people in a hands-on experience.
“This day works because it is simple and concrete. Generosity passes directly from one person to another, and it reminds you that even small gestures have a real impact on those who receive them,” explains Viviana Rifuggiato.

Donating food rather than money makes the gesture visible and prompts reflection on access to food, a basic need that is not guaranteed for everyone. The Colletta connects donors and recipients in a direct way, opening a space for awareness and shared responsibility.

A commitment that continues beyond the Colletta

The Colletta is only one part of Atlante’s wider commitment. Since 2013, the company has worked continuously with Fondazione Banco Alimentare Emilia-Romagna, donating surplus food that is still perfectly suitable for consumption. In 2024, Atlante donated 171,153 units of products, offering tangible support to local organisations throughout the year.

This collaboration is complemented by corporate volunteering, through which Atlante employees support different activities for local associations and food distribution structures. Atlante also supports the Banco di Solidarietà di Bologna, donating sample products and surplus items to families and community groups experiencing hardship.

It is within this network of activities that the continuity of Atlante’s commitment becomes clear.
“The Colletta is an important moment, but it gains meaning only when connected to everything we do throughout the year. Ongoing donations, corporate volunteering, our relationship with Banco Alimentare and with local organisations are different elements of a single commitment. Continuity is what makes our contribution truly useful, beyond any single event,” says Enrico Santi.

Looking back at this year’s Colletta means recognising a dual value: the immediate impact of the food collected and the understanding that solidarity can also be a daily practice. For Atlante, it is one piece of a broader journey based on responsibility, collaboration and the desire to create value through what we know best: food.