With food waste contributing to around 8-10%* of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions each year, and with global food inflation and cost of living pressures, the need for action to reduce food waste has never been more important, says Compass Group PLC, the world's largest food services company.
To mark the seventh annual Stop Food Waste Day, an international day of action in the fight against food waste, Compass Group is leading a global campaign to raise awareness of the environmental and social benefits of reducing food waste. By bringing together clients, colleagues, suppliers, and charity partners across nearly 40 countries, Compass hopes to take a lead in the global movement focused on preventing food waste.
Food waste prevention
- Just this month, Compass launched ‘Chefs Creating Change’, its first Global Culinary Forum convening over 1,500 Compass chefs from around the world to share their best food waste insights, tips, and tools they use to attack food waste at the source.
- On Stop Food Waste Day 2022, Compass Group North America committed to rolling out its proprietary, tablet-based food waste tracking system, Waste Not 2.0, across thousands of kitchens throughout the US.
- Since then, this technology has been deployed to nearly 2,500 kitchens across North America, leading to a 31% reduction in waste at participating cafes. The programme has now been expanded globally with four Compass markets outside of North America.
- As a Group, Compass recorded a 28% reduction last year in its own food waste across 28 countries and remains on track to achieve its target to halve food waste within its global operations by 2030.
Surplus food redistribution
- To ensure perfectly good surplus food does not go to waste, Compass works with multiple charity partners and social enterprises around the world, such as FoodCycle, FareShare, OLIO and Too Good To Go, to pass surplus meals on to people in their communities who need it most.
- In FY2022, Compass Group UK & Ireland diverted 109 tonnes of surplus food to local charities, community groups and redistribution partners; the equivalent of c.257,000 meals.
- Last year, across Compass’ largest international markets, the Group donated more than 1.3 million meals to local communities.
Inspiring positive change
- Following the success of the first Stop Food Waste Day Cookbook last year, Compass has created an extended edition of the digital cookbook, featuring recipes from over 50 Compass chefs across nearly 40 countries. The cookbook makes it easy to create meals which give a second life to ingredients that most commonly go to waste. New recipes this year include leftover bread casserole from Austria, wonky vegetable enchiladas from Mexico, and stuffed potatoes with vegan Bolognese from Spain.
- In 2022, Compass Group joined the Board of the International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC) to strengthen the global fight against food waste. Meanwhile Compass Group Australia and Foodbuy Australia proudly became signatories to the Australian Food Waste Pact, a voluntary agreement which brings organisations together to create and share solutions and strategies dedicated to food waste prevention.
Dominic Blakemore, Group Chief Executive Officer of Compass Group PLC, said:
“In a world gripped by conflict, climate change and cost of living pressures, the need for action to reduce food waste has never been more important. Every item we throw away is a waste of the energy used to grow, harvest, process and cook it.
“Minimising food waste is an essential part of Compass’ purpose and commitment to a sustainable future for all. Managing waste also helps us manage costs for client and consumers. I’m extremely proud of the significant efforts our chefs and frontline teams make every day and I hope their actions and enthusiasm will inspire everyone to get involved in Stop Food Waste Day.”
Amy Keister, Global Director of Sustainability at Compass Group, added:
“Now in its seventh year, Stop Food Waste Day has expanded beyond just an annual event held on the last Wednesday of April. It’s become a global movement, and a core part of our culture at Compass Group. Our chefs and frontline teams understand the opportunity that we have to empower the communities we serve with knowledge, tips, and tricks to reduce food waste; not only in our cafes but in their homes and beyond.
“No one ever has the intention to waste food, which is why at Compass we strive to make every day #StopFoodWasteDay. By shining a light on this issue, and tackling it together, we can make such a meaningful impact on our global food system.”
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For more information, please contact:
Compass Group PLC
Giles Robinson, Corporate Communications Director +44 (0) 1932 963 486
Notes to Editors
* UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021
About Compass Group
Compass Group PLC is a world leading food and support services company, which serves meals to millions of people in c.40 countries and employs and engages more than 500,000 people globally. The Company specialises in providing food and a range of support services across the core sectors of Business & Industry, Healthcare & Senior Living, Education, Sports & Leisure and Defence, Offshore & Remote, with an established brand portfolio.
About Stop Food Waste Day
Launched in 2017 by Compass Group USA, Stop Food Waste Day is an international day of action in the fight against food waste. On 26 April 2023, Compass Group, along with its suppliers, clients, colleagues, and customers globally, will work together to raise awareness and inspire change around the critical issue of food waste.
Visit the Stop Food Waste Day website for more information: https://www.stopfoodwasteday.com
© 2024 Compass Group PLC