Food waste is a significant global issue where approximately one-third of all food produced goes to waste each year. Innodis, a leading food production and distribution company in Mauritius, recognises the severity of this problem and has taken a bold approach to tackle it. It initially set an ambitious target to redistribute over 25,000 meals during its Financial Year 2022-2023, but has already exceeded expectations by redistributing more than 35,000 meals in less than eight months!

Food waste can occur at various stages, such as production, handling, and at the point of sale. This results in lost food products, not to mention negative environmental impacts regarding their disposal. Innodis has partnered with FoodWise since 2019 to facilitate the donation of products to charities. Through this partnership, Innodis has reduced its food waste and ensured that products that were once difficult to sell now go to those in need.

“Our team contacts match the donation to the right NGOs while ensuring that products are collected, delivered and used under good food and safety conditions.”

- Zainal Kareemun, Head of Operations at FoodWise

Food waste is a persistent issue in the food sector. Food is wasted at different stages, including production, handling, and points of sale. At Innodis, products nearing their Expiry or Best Before the date were often difficult to sell and were either destroyed or donated. Still, the company faced a real challenge in reducing food waste. Jean Francois Harrison, Quality Manager at Innodis says: "For example, in the past, on some occasions, we have imported more stocks of certain products in order to minimize the risk of shortages in the future. These decisions are sometimes made, especially when we face frequent delays in shipments to Mauritius. However, if consumer demand turns out to be lower than anticipated due to the economic situation and market forces, we can end up with excess stocks.”

Its partnership with FoodWise has enabled Innodis to channel to charities edible and healthy products that were once challenging to sell, helping it to reduce waste while at the same time come to the aid of those in need. Thanks to this partnership, Innodis has saved over 10,847 KGs of food between June 2022 to March 2023. Innodis also takes maximum precautions to minimise losses at various stages of its production and distribution chain and monitors its stocks to ensure that products maintain their marketability for the longest time possible. However, despite its best efforts, the company still has to deal with a number of unsold or surplus food.

"The donations have been an added value to our prepared meals and have brought much-needed comfort and hope to those facing difficult times."

- Gaetan Chellen, representative of the NGO “Les Cuisines Solidaires”

Innodis has been implementing strict procedures for several years to fight food waste, which it has recently strengthened. "This collaboration has allowed us to enhance our internal structure and accelerate our social responsibility program and environmental efforts, making us more effective in fighting food waste," says Jean Francois Harrison. These procedures involve systematic and meticulous sorting of return-to-vendor products to ensure that all products fit for consumption can be redirected to NGOs through FoodWise. Jean Francois Harrison adds: “FoodWise has proven to be a partner of choice in the fight against waste as we share the same values ​​and objectives.”

By working with FoodWise, Innodis has considerably reduced the need for destruction, eliminating disposal costs. However, the most significant upside of this collaboration has been the reduction of waste and the knowledge that underprivileged families can benefit from its products. Innodis has found it easier to work with FoodWise, an intermediate support in their fight against food waste.

“This collaboration has not only allowed us to enhance our internal structure but also accelerate our social responsibility program and environmental efforts, making us more effective in our mission to fight food waste.”

- Jean Francois Harrison, Quality Manager at Innodis Group

FoodWise's collaboration with Innodis allows for the quick and efficient distribution of donated food products to NGOs. Zainal Kareemun, Head of Operations at FoodWise points out: “Our team contacts match the donation to the right NGOs while ensuring that products are collected, delivered and used under good food and safety conditions." This comprehensive approach to food donation and redistribution ensure that underprivileged people receive safe and high-quality food products.

From June 2022 to March 2023, Innodis helped was able to donate a total of 10,847 KGs of food through our network of 49 NGOs. This food was then redistributed to individuals and families in need, resulting in a significant impact towards alleviating food insecurity. According to Gaetan Chellen from the NGO Les Cuisines Solidaires: 

“Our beneficiaries have not only benefited from the nutritional value of the food but also from the positive impact it has had on their lives. It has been an added value to our prepared meals and has brought much-needed comfort and hope to those facing difficult times.”

The partnership between Innodis and FoodWise has led to significant progress towards reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity. By donating surplus food to NGOs, in just eight months, Innodis has redistributed 35,000 meals which would otherwise have gone to waste.

Since 2019, Innodis has saved more than 24,085 KGs of food and helped FoodWise redistribute over 96,352 meals to NGOs.