Savour Food is a food waste reduction programme for businesses and it aims to bring about sustained change in Irish businesses in terms of food waste prevention. The Savour Food Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. The programme is managed by the Clean Technology Centre, MTU Cork, and supported by stakeholders.
Savour Food is now offering a free online facility where foodservice businesses can assess how much food waste might be costing and what they can do across the business to reduce it. The e-tool is free to use and can be found at savourfood.ie.
Announcing the launch of the e-tool, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue, TD, said “Last Wednesday marked International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Food Waste so it is an ideal time to announce the launch of the Savour Food E-Tool which can be used free of charge by all food service businesses to assist with food waste reduction. This ties in with the ambition of the Departments strategy “Food Vision 2030” which provides a path forward to half food waste in Ireland by 2030. The hospitality and food services sector is responsible for over 200,000 tonnes of food waste generated each year. Across the Irish food service sector approximately two-thirds of food waste is potentially avoidable. Total food waste equates to an annual cost well in excess of €300 million for the food service sector as a whole so this e-tool is a vital resource for any food business. I am delighted that my Department is in a position to continue to fund this worthwhile initiative”.
Savour Food Programme Manager, Keelin Tobin says “Chefs and staff in hospitality are so skilled. They are important stakeholders in the fight against food waste and that is why I am delighted that this online tool both showcases what is already being done in the sector, as well as providing a support for any foodservice business endeavouring to reduce food waste. It’s good for business and it’s good for our planet.”
For media enquiries please contact info@savourfood.ie or phone 021 4335087.
Photo, by Darragh Kane, shows Keelin Tobin from the Clean Technology Centre – the Savour Food Programme Manager – giving Minister McConalogue a pot of her blackberry jam at the launch.