24 July, 2018

Since it was established in 2017, Feed Cork have been working with a number of partners and are now distributing 250 food baskets weekly to families and individuals in need.

CIT Department of Tourism & Hospitality became involved with Feed Cork as a result of their Food Waste Reduction Project. One of the initiatives of the project led to the setting up of an afternoon ‘shop’, run by students, selling surplus meals produced as part CIT culinary courses.

However the department was finding they still had a large amount of food they were unable to sell. In a bid to achieve their zero waste target, the Department consulted with the Clean Technology Centre at CIT. CTC, a not-for-profit organisation focusing on resource efficiency and sustainability, identified Feed Cork as a possible recipient for the surplus food being produced.

Representatives from the Tourism and Hospitality Department met with Feed Cork on site to discuss partnering and agreed on a collection day every week. The food is boxed, labelled and frozen ensuring all health and safety requirements are met while all donations are recorded and documented to ensure transparency throughout the process.

Kirsty Madden from CIT Department of Tourism & Hospitality said, “It is great to work with Feed Cork as you know the food given, is directly benefiting families living in food poverty in Cork”.

Food poverty is a serious problem with reports estimating that 1 in 5 Irish children go to school every day or to bed hungry every night. Through its association with Feed Cork, CIT is delighted to contribute to the fight against food poverty in Cork.

As well as benefiting the recipients, the engagement also educates CIT students in waste reduction and food preparation for the public, and brings CIT Department of Tourism & Hospitality closer to reaching their zero waste target.

If you would like to collaborate with CIT get in touch. Email extendedcampus@cit.ie or call 021 4335302.