Hellmann’s are using Animal Crossing: New Horizons to raise money for charity.
In a bid to reduce food waste, Hellmann’s are inviting players to visit their island from the 14-18 December and drop off their rotten turnips.
For every turnip donated, Hellmann’s will make a financial donation of the equivalent of two meals to FareShare, a UK based charity that distributes surplus food to charities to make into meals. Each week, they provide enough food to make nearly one million meals, and Hellmann’s hopes to donate 50,000 meals as part of their scheme.
“In a year that has already been incredibly tough, getting nutritious food on to the plates of the most vulnerable people has never been more important and each donation from Hellmann’s will help to make a real difference this Christmas,” said FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell to The Grocer.
The island is open from 2 pm to 10 pm GMT each day and features a Hellmann’s Farm, Santa’s Grotto, an orchard and outdoor winter spa for visitors to explore. Users who wish to tour the island can book a 15-minute time-slot by direct messaging HellmannsUK on Twitter on the day of the tour.
#HellmannsIsland is coming to #ACNH this Christmas to help turn virtual food waste into real meals. For each spoiled turnip visitors drop off on our 5-star island, we’ll donate 2 meals to @FareShareUK. The island will be open Dec. 14-18th.https://t.co/TrFHobWzOe pic.twitter.com/RvTVOqPisZ
— HellmannsUK (@HellmannsUK) December 9, 2020
The company has also created ugly food waste jumpers for the characters to wear that can be downloaded for free from their website, alongside tips to avoid food waste at Christmas.
Hellmann’s previously opened their island in August to raise money for Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organisation.
The cause is supported by Stephen Fry, who has created a recipe for a nut roast toastie, and Twitch streamer and YouTuber Plumbella, who toured Hellmann’s Island live on stream on Friday afternoon (December 11).
In the game, players can purchase turnips every Sunday. They then try to sell the turnips at a higher price during the week. If the turnips are not sold by the following Sunday, they spoil and become worthless.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now on Nintendo Switch.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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