Global efforts to tackle food waste are increasing and it is a defined target within the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Target 12.3) which calls on all nations to halve food waste and reduce food loss by 2030. Costa has risen to this challenge by integrating responsible consumption and reduction of food waste. The cruise line is investing in the prevention of food waste in their kitchens and also donating excess meals for those in need.
The joint project between Costa Cruises and food-bank charity Fondazione Banco Alimentare Onlus to recover surplus food produced on cruise ships and re-use it for good causes is extending. Five months after the Costa food donation programme began in Savona, 8500 portions have been provided for people in need, and now Civitavecchia has also come on board. The food prepared but not served in Costa Diadema's restaurants will now be collected for distribution to a local organisation that helps disadvantaged young people.
“From now on another 36 young people will benefit from very high-quality dishes, based both on taste and also on nutritional value: this initiative makes us proud and repays all the efforts made to achieve this excellent result. We are ready to implement next steps of this important project, hoping that it will involve soon also the port of Palermo.” said Marco Lucchini, General Manager of Fondazione Banco Alimentare Onlus.
Costa’s business model is oriented towards sustainable development and the battle against food waste is one of their central challenges to focus on. In February 2017 Costa Cruises joined forces with Winnow to tackle avoidable food waste by providing chefs and their staff with actionable data to run a more efficient operation. Winnow is playing a crucial role in the mapping and revision of processes on board, as well as in the evolution and development of Costa’s food service system.
The Costa Diadema is the primary lab and test bed where the project has been implemented. Based on the outstanding results of the pilot project, Costa has decided it will be rolled out gradually on all the company’s ships in Europe and Asia.
We are inspired by Costa Cruises’ vision and are excited to support them in leading the industry on the issue of food waste. We challenge other businesses in the hospitality and foodservice sector to follow their example and look strategically at the issue.
Photo credit: Costa Cruises Press Center
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