GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced promotional plans today in support of "Save the Food", a national public service campaign developed by the Ad Council and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The campaign encourages Americans to make simple lifestyle changes to reduce waste in their own homes. Through the remainder of 2016, Sodexo will be the only food service provider highlighting the importance of reducing food waste using Save the Food public service announcements in both the serving and eating areas of its establishments.
Forty percent of food in America never gets eaten. It is waste that occurs throughout the entire production and consumption chain. On average, a family of four wastes as much as 1,000 pounds of food per year. The implications of that waste extend far beyond lost nutrition. It includes loss of the precious water and energy resources that went into the production process and the damaging climate-polluting gases created by food waste in landfills. Simple consumer actions such as making shopping lists, freezing food, and using leftovers can greatly curtail the current level of food waste.
"To move food from farm to fork expends up to 10 percent of the total U.S. energy budget, uses 50 percent of U.S. land, and guzzles 80 percent of all freshwater consumed in the United States. Despite that investment, 40 percent of food in the United States today goes uneaten," said Ted Monk, Sodexo vice president of sustainability and corporate responsibility. "Sodexo's promotion of 'Save the Food' seeks to significantly reduce the nearly $165 billion in wasted food that Americans throw out annually."
Sodexo's efforts include working with its teams, clients and suppliers to reduce food waste in its ordering, storage, preparation and serving at client sites. Almost 90 percent of Sodexo sites are implementing equipment and process steps to reduce organic waste.
Sodexo also collaborates with a variety of companies and organizations to take actions that encourage consumer food waste reduction and inform policy. This is highlighted by its partnerships with local food recovery organizations, such as the Campus Kitchens Project and the Food Recovery Network, to collect and redistribute surplus food from college campuses to community partner organizations. These partnerships have resulted in over seven million pounds of food being provided to others in need.
The promotion of "Save the Food" will allow the campaign to reach millions of Sodexo customers, employees and clients to encourage them to reduce food waste.
"Sodexo is committed to making a dent in the food waste issue we have in this country," said Dana Gunders, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and author of Waste Free Kitchen Handbook. "We can't reach the goals of reducing food waste without collaboration from leaders like Sodexo who are willing to pitch in by helping to educate consumers."
Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.
Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.
Source: Sodexo
