FoodCloud adopts new sourcing strategy with Coca-Cola HBC
FoodCloud and Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland have begun a new food sourcing strategy with the aim of doubling the volume of food redistributed to 5,100 tonnes per year by 2025.
Coca-Cola HBC has previously supported both FoodCloud in the Republic of Ireland and their counterparts FareShare in Northern Ireland with financial and product donations, and volunteer hours. This new partnership will take a strategic approach to reducing food waste, achieving savings equivalent to 12,000,000 redistributed meals and saving 16,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent.
Since 2013, FoodCloud has redistributed more than 201.3 million meals in Ireland and internationally. It has also rescued more than 84,555 tonnes of food from going to waste, avoiding over 270,576 tonnes of CO2-equivalent. Food waste also has a huge environmental impact, accounting for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions*. To put that into perspective: Food waste generates over four times more greenhouse gas emissions than the global aviation industry.
Aoibheann O’Brien, co-founder and partnerships director, FoodCloud, said: “While FoodCloud has made great progress in rescuing and redistributing surplus food, this figure represents only a very small percentage of the 770,300 tonnes of food that is wasted every year in Ireland. We are still only scratching the surface of surplus potential in Ireland and more needs to be done to achieve the ambitious target of halving food waste by 2023.
“The FoodCloud food sourcing strategy supported by Coca-Cola HBC will be the foundation to significantly grow the volumes of food redistributed across the Irish supply chain by 2025 and support FoodCloud’s ambitious vision of a world where no good food goes to waste. In our efforts to cut emissions as a country, the food sourcing strategy has an important role to play in reviewing the processes in place and providing tangible learnings to help us double the volume of food redistributed to 5,100 tonnes per year by 2025 and to cut the associated emissions of wasted food. The food sourcing strategy involves an analysis, not only of the surplus that is available and of the needs of our charity and voluntary organisation (CVO) partners, but also an analysis of ways to unlock pockets of fresh produce and a diverse range of foods that can contribute to a balanced diet for the communities that we serve. We look forward to working with Coca-Cola HBC over the coming three years to meet these challenges.”
Tom Burke, corporate affairs & sustainability director, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “The journey to net zero requires partnership across all industries and sectors. As the largest beverage provider on the island of Ireland and the world’s most sustainable beverage company we recognise we have a role to play in leading the industry response and developing partnerships across the sector. In our own operations, we are looking both internally and externally to reduce carbon emissions and play our part in driving sustainability. Over the past three years we have seen the incredible work FoodCloud and FareShare do, and we are excited to work together to develop this vital Food Sourcing Strategy which will evolve how the food and drink industry approaches food redistribution and as a result reduce associated carbon emissions.
“The Food Sourcing Strategy will see Coca-Cola HBC and FoodCloud work together with others across the food and drink sector to find innovative new ways to reduce food waste and double the volume of food redistributed to 5,100 tonnes per year by 2025. We look forward to seeing a vibrant community of industry and community partners emerge as we work collectively to prevent food loss and achieve a world without waste.”
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