Together Against Food Waste: A Commitment That Begins with Young People

Talking about food waste means talking about the way we live on this planet.

It’s not just a matter of quantity, but of responsibility: every piece of food wasted carries with it natural resources, energy, and human labour.

At a time when food sustainability is one of the world’s most urgent challenges, Atlante has chosen to address the issue where change can truly take root: among young people.

In October, in collaboration with two organisations strongly connected to the local community – the International School of Bologna (ISB) and Bologna Football Club (BFC) – the company organised two educational sessions dedicated to the value of food and the impact of our consumption habits.

Moments of dialogue with students and young athletes, designed to encourage reflection on how individual behaviour influences the environment and society, and how everyone can help reduce food waste through more conscious choices.

The initiative aims to inspire a collective reflection: understanding how every small daily action can contribute to building a more equitable food model that is respectful of resources.

Educating on the Value of Food

The sessions were led by Viviana Rifuggiato, Corporate Events Specialist at Atlante, through the presentation “Our Fight Against Food Waste”, a journey designed to familiarise participants with facts, data, and best practices.

During the events, the students learned that in Italy each person wastes an average of 35 kg of food per year — the equivalent of a full meal every four days.

This waste is not only economic but environmental: along with food, we waste water, soil, energy, and CO₂.

As the presentation reminds us, “Every time we waste food, we accelerate deforestation, consume precious water and increase pollution.”

This awareness became the starting point for practical discussions: better organising the fridge, consuming food before it expires, confidently asking for a doggy bag, or using apps like Too Good To Go to save unsold food.

These are small daily gestures that, when shared, become a form of collective responsibility.

From Awareness to Action

For Atlante, knowledge only matters when it translates into action.

That’s why the October meetings were a prelude to a tangible moment of engagement: the Food Collection Day on 15 November, where Atlante volunteers will join forces with ISB students, Bologna FC youth players, and Bologna Business School students.

The Food Collection has long been one of the most meaningful solidarity initiatives in Atlante’s calendar.

In 2024, donations exceeded five tonnes of food, up from the previous year.

At the Centro Lame collection point alone, 3,600 kg of food were gathered, while another 1,400 kg were collected at Pam, all destined for Fondazione Banco Alimentare Emilia-Romagna and over 7,000 charitable organisations supporting people in need every day.

Engaging young people adds both symbolic and practical value: it invites them to move from theory to active participation, experiencing firsthand how solidarity can become part of daily life.

Part of Atlante’s ESG Journey

This initiative is part of Atlante’s broader ESG strategy, integrating environmental, social, and governance goals across the business.

Fighting food waste, as well as the long-standing collaboration with Banco Alimentare, reflects the company’s commitment to social responsibility and driving sustainable progress.

Educate, act, give back: three words that capture the essence of this project and summarise Atlante’s vision.

Raising awareness among younger generations about the value of food is not just an educational act — it’s a collective investment in the future.