IRELAND - Fyffes is making headlines with a remarkable achievement in its mission to combat food insecurity. The company has announced that it has donated over 24 million healthy meals to vulnerable communities across Europe, Latin America, and North America. This milestone far exceeds Fyffes’ original goal of providing five million meals by the end of 2025, a target the company has surpassed by a factor of four.

As stated in the press release, the donations align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Zero Hunger and Responsible Consumption and Production. Fyffes’ efforts reflect its commitment to building a food-secure world, free of hunger, and minimizing food loss.

The United States led the way in donations, with over 10.5 million meals provided, followed closely by the United Kingdom at over 10 million meals. Ireland and Germany also made significant contributions, with over 1 million (1,175,798) and 969,048 meals donated, respectively. Latin America saw over 1.5 million meals distributed, with countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize benefiting from Fyffes’ efforts.

Breakdown of Meals Donated by Country:

• United States: 10,561,101
• United Kingdom: 10,192,773
• Ireland: 1,175,798
• Germany: 969,048
• Honduras: 573,810
• Guatemala: 900,495
• Belize: 118,562
• Costa Rica: 11,905
• Ecuador: 55,941
• Total: 24,559,921

A third of all food produced globally is wasted, contributing to approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the demand for food bank services has surged due to inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Fyffes has stepped up to address these challenges by partnering with customers and for-purpose organizations to donate fresh bananas, pineapples, and melons to food banks. These food banks then redistribute the surplus fruit to charities and communities in need, helping to reduce food waste and provide essential nutrition.

Fyffes collaborates with organizations such as FoodCloud and Cream of the Crop in Ireland, FareShare and The Bread and Butter Thing in the UK, Hamburger Tafel in Germany, and Philabundance, Armfull of Help, and the San Antonio Food Bank in the US. In Latin America, where Fyffes grows its fruit, the company works with The Global Foodbanking Network and local organizations in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Ecuador to ensure access to healthy food.

In Honduras, for example, Fyffes has implemented projects to reduce the amount of fruit left behind in the fields, redistributing it to vulnerable communities. These efforts alone have resulted in the donation of more than half a million meals.

Commenting on the achievement, Helge Sparsoe, CEO of Fyffes, stated, “We are extremely proud to share that we have surpassed our target of donating five million healthy meals to people in vulnerable groups. The achievement of this target means even more in the current global cost-of-living crisis where the demand for food banks has increased exponentially. Donating over 24 million meals is a wonderful demonstration of sustainability in action and we look forward to reaching even more communities in 2025.”

Fyffes’ efforts highlight the power of partnerships and sustainability in addressing global food insecurity. With its sights set on continuing this momentum, the company is poised to make an even greater impact in the years to come.