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 Group hopes to take a lead in the global movement focused on preventing food waste.
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.
Food waste prevention
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.
In Australia, Compass Group utilises the food waste reduction system, Leanpath, developed to reduce manual handling risks, improve efficiency to lower cost and to minimise impact on the environment.
The tracking scales generate automated reports to highlight trends and identify key areas to focus effort on, to meaningfully reduce food waste on site. Web-based action plans allow for central review and reporting to set and track goals. Since April 2022, our teams have prevented 20, 764kgs of food waste from occurring and saved the equivalent of 38,145 meals.
Surplus food redistribution
Last year alone, across Compass Group’s largest international markets, the Group donated more than 1.3 million meals to local communities.
As their first Major National Food Service Partner, Compass Group works closely with OzHarvest to help reduce food waste and we have donated over 800,000 meals to Australians in need through our long-term alliance.
Inspiring positive change
Following the success of the first Stop Food Waste Day Cookbook last year, Compass Group has created an extended edition of the digital cookbook, featuring recipes from over 50 Compass Group 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.
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.
“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 Group’s 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.”
“Both globally and across Australia, we provide great food and great service from the CBD to some of the country’s most remote and environmentally sensitive locations. Through our ‘WorldFirst’ program, we work in partnership with our Clients and our Supply Partners to invest in ethical and sustainable supply chains, new product innovations and enable ‘Purpose-led Procurement’ in creating real change in our industry. From our investments and culinary expertise in recipe and menu design, through to partnerships with organisations such as OzHarvest, Sedex, MSC, RSPCA and many others, we are able to couple our ‘grown here and not flown here’ sourcing focus with our global experience in sustainability and food waste.“
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For more information, please contact:
Media Contact
PJ Brooks, Compass Group Australia Communications Manager
E: [email protected]
Notes to Editors
* UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021
About Compass Group Australia
Compass Group Australia is a leading food and support services organisation, supporting clients in Australia since 1969. The company engages more than 13,000 employees to operate in more than 700 locations, serving thousands of people every day through food and support services focused on health and wellbeing.
Compass Group’s operations are extensive across Australia, including both onshore and offshore facilities and they reflect a diverse client base encompassing schools and universities, venues and leisure facilities, the energy, resources and Defence sectors, hospitals and aged care facilities, airline lounges and feeding thousands of people at work.
Compass group proudly plays an important role in supporting and creating careers paths for disadvantaged Australians and sources 81% of food and beverages from local Australian growers and manufacturers.
About Stop Food Waste Day
Launched in 2017, 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
