Australian ethical caterers, EPICURE, has won the Taronga Zoo catering contract.

The new partnership will see Taronga take another significant step towards a more sustainable, plastic-free future as a focus on environmental sustainability initiatives is a key component of EPICURE’s new catering contract.

“Environmental sustainability is central to everything we do at Taronga, and it has long been our goal to reduce reliance on single-use plastic packaging for food served at Taronga,” said Libby Hodgson, Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Commercial at Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

The most visible change Taronga Zoo guests will notice is the introduction of plastic-free, recyclable packaging for food served at Taronga Zoo, and biodegradable tableware.

“I’m pleased that this new alliance will reaffirm our long-standing commitment to sustainability and accelerate our progress to carbon neutrality by 2025, in addition to offering high-quality catering for our guests. I believe this will set a new benchmark in environmental practice and innovation for the Australian hospitality and tourism industries,” Ms Hodgson said.

“We are excited to announce that from day one, Taronga will cease reliance on single-use plastics for meals prepared and served in our cafes and food court, including sauce sachets. Additionally, the use of sustainable palm oil for cooking will be a significant contribution to preserving habitats for wildlife at risk of extinction. In time, guests will see the installation of machines that reduce food waste going to landfill,” she said.

Taronga and EPICURE have announced they will work on a dedicated sustainability fund to provide financial support for Taronga’s environmental sustainability initiatives, which will include upfront investment as well as ongoing investment each year.