Every year on October 16th, we celebrate World Food Day. So let us explain to you why this day is so important and what the specific goals are of the United Nations. And let’s also take in Compass Group’s approach to provide everyday solutions that make it easier to eat healthy and ensure a better future.
A year like no other for World Food Day
Organized by the United Nations, World Food Day is a collective action in 150 countries, with a host of activities and events bringing together governments, businesses, NGOs, the media, societal organizations and the general public. This year is more special because 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of FAO, and that in a context rendered even more challenging by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The aim of World Food Day is to raise awareness and encourage action for the benefit of hungry populations and for healthy eating for all. Food is a fundamental right for all human beings. However, the numbers are far from encouraging. According to a UN study, nearly 690 million people worldwide go hungry. There is an urgent need to act to ensure a better future for all.
You can find all the necessary information on the official United Nations website.
What we do at Compass Group
It is obvious that, as an international group specializing in catering, we focus on solutions to provide healthy food and avoid waste as much as possible. Here are some real-life examples of actions at Compass Group:
1. The menu planning
Our main action since 2017 has been our menu planning, composed by our dietitians, with balanced dishes and beneficial for both your health and the environment. In practice, we go with seasonal products and we guarantee a minimum percentage of fruits and vegetables available according to the harvest in Belgium. In the menu planning, we also try to reduce meats such as beef, lamb and veal and we prefer poultry and vegetarian substitutes (referring to unprocessed legumes, which offer the same amount of proteins needed). We offer more dishes based on chickpeas, beans or lentils for example. Not to mention fish from sustainable fishing and with the MSC label.
2. The fight against food waste
At Compass Group, we have several efficient systems and processes to encourage the right behaviour from ordering to preparation, in order to waste as little food as possible. However, sometimes unforeseen events do happen. That's why we offer food donations to various associations. It is in our DNA to us to help those in need and to offer the remaining food while respecting hygienic and food safety regulations. We also work together with Too Good To Go, an anti-waste movement and app for merchants and restaurateurs.
3. Sustainability
In many cases, healthy food and sustainability go hand in hand. We focus primarily on government initiatives such as Green Deal and Good Food, whose criteria fit perfectly with our Planet Compass program. We make every effort to meet the standards of these labels. An illustrious example is the Good Food 2 Forks label of our kitchen at the International School of Brussels. Find out everything in the article.
In the short to medium term, at Compass Group, we are convinced that these actions, in addition to the projects we are developing, are working for health and are within the common goals of the United Nations, as part of World Food Day. If you have any questions, please contact us.
