Food services provider, Compass Group Australia, has joined forces with OzHarvest in a bid to cut down on food waste.

The partnership sees Compass become OzHarvest’s first and major national food service donor.

Commenting on the new deal, Compass Group managing director Shelley Roberts reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improve food sustainability practices and to reduce food waste.

“Compass Group Australia purchases around 50,000 tonnes of fresh food every year. By Managing food sustainability and reducing waste, we can help out clients save money, help those in the community who are in need and conserve valuable agricultural resources for future generations,” Robert Said.

At the recent Food Waste Summit, the Federal Government placed the issue of food waste on the national agenda.

Within the commercial and industry food sector alone, it is estimated around 3 million tonnes of food is wasted every year.

Compass operates 480 sites across Australia supplying food and services to a wide range of industries from manufacturing through to education.

In the mining and resources sector where Compass operates in some of Australia’s most remote and sensitive environments, the business works closely with clients and suppliers to plan food consumption and minimise waste.

This year Compass’ Urban sites launched the ‘Stop Food Waste’ campaign, drawing on the Company’s successful experience in overseas markets.

This campaign will see Compass sites measure food waste across three categories: food scraps, perished foods and good food that is not going to be used.

This daily tally will provide a clear view of how much food is being wasted and a series of ‘food sustainability’ tools will equip Compass sites to reduce food wastage.

These include improved food ordering guides, menu planning guides and creative ideas on ways to re-purpose good food.

OzHarvest Founder and CEO, Ronni Kahn said fighting food waste is a big job and requires collective action, working with national organisations like Compass is key to influencing change.

“We are proud Compass Group has come on board as a national food service donor, sharing our vision for a world with zero waste and free of hunger.”