Prime Minister David Cameron has presented Waitrose with a Big Society Award in recognition of its Community Matters scheme.
The scheme, which allows Waitrose customers to choose which of three local groups and charities they would like to support each month by voting with a green token in store, has seen £10m donated to more than 30,000 good causes since its launch in 2008.
The Prime Minister presented the award to Waitrose Managing Director Mark Price and Partners at Waitrose head office in Bracknell, and heard about Waitrose's plans for investment in its communities during 2012.
Mark Price said: 'We should feel proud and honoured to receive this award for the active role we play in supporting and safeguarding the future of the areas we trade in and the people who live there.'
'During my meeting with David Cameron I took the opportunity to explain our plans for supporting local communities this year. This includes the launch of our new Partner Volunteering scheme, which will enable Waitrose Partners to donate a total of 75,000 hours to local charities and good causes in local communities,' he added.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: 'The Big Society Awards are all about recognising the work that people like Waitrose are doing to bring about what I care about most: a bigger, stronger society. And Community Matters is helping to do exactly that.'
Read more about the John Lewis Partnership's approach to charitable giving.