FoodCloud launch their ‘One Billion Meals by 2030’ campaign
On October 10th, FoodCloud officially launched the ‘One Billion Meals by 2030’ campaign with a CEO & Leadership Briefing in Dublin, at St. Andrews Resource Centre. As key stakeholder in the CIBUS project, FoodCloud continues to set the bar in best practices for food loss and waste, making this campaign launch a significant moment for both local and national efforts.
A Collaboration for Sustainable Solutions
Enda McEvoy, CIBUS project researcher and chef, collaborated with FoodCloud’s kitchen to design canapés and small plates made entirely from surplus food. This collaboration was a powerful demonstration of how surplus ingredients can be repurposed into high-quality dishes, reinforcing the shared goals of FoodCloud and CIBUS in reducing food waste.
The CIBUS project, of which FoodCloud is a critical part, aims to reduce food loss and waste across the supply chain through cross-sector collaboration, data sharing, and promoting circular economy principles. With FoodCloud’s food hub located in the Galway region, they serve as an important regional partner, implementing real-world solutions that align with CIBUS’s objectives.
Launching ‘One Billion Meals by 2030’
The evening served as the quiet launch of FoodCloud’s new ‘One Billion Meals by 2030’ campaign, a €25 million initiative designed to scale up their operations and increase food rescue efforts over the next five years. During the event, FoodCloud co-founder Aoibheann O’Brien outlined the core elements of the campaign, emphasizing the need for corporate and individual support to meet their ambitious goal of redistributing one billion meals by the end of the decade.
This initiative resonates with the core mission of CIBUS, which aims to foster innovation and sustainability in the food system. By working alongside FoodCloud, the CIBUS project benefits from insights into effective food redistribution practices that can be replicated across Europe.
Best Practice in Action: FoodCloud’s Impact
FoodCloud’s ongoing work is a prime example of how food waste can be tackled through innovative partnerships and practical solutions. Through its national network of food hubs, including the one in Galway, FoodCloud redistributes surplus food to charities, reducing waste while addressing food insecurity. Their work exemplifies the kind of best practice that CIBUS seeks to promote among its partners across Europe.
At the event, guest speakers from FoodCloud’s charity and corporate partners shared stories about the transformative impact of food redistribution. One charity partner explained how FoodCloud’s support allowed their organization to redirect resources to vital frontline services. Meanwhile, a representative from AIB emphasized the dual environmental and social benefits of their partnership with FoodCloud, noting how their collaboration supports both sustainability and community wellbeing.
The Role of CIBUS in the Broader Food Waste Agenda
FoodCloud’s relationship with CIBUS goes beyond regional efforts. As a core stakeholder in the project, FoodCloud shares its expertise and operational insights, helping to inform policy and strategic planning around food waste. This collaboration is key to achieving the larger goals of the CIBUS project, which aims to reduce food waste not just in Galway, but across Europe by promoting innovative, scalable solutions.
FoodCloud’s food hub in Galway plays an integral role in these efforts, providing a model for how local food systems can combat waste while serving vulnerable populations. The partnership between CIBUS and FoodCloud highlights how food loss can be addressed through collective action, turning surplus into opportunity.
Looking Forward
The ‘One Billion Meals by 2030’ campaign represents a major step forward for FoodCloud, but it also aligns with the broader goals of the CIBUS project. As the campaign moves into its active phase, both organizations will continue working together, sharing best practices, scaling innovations, and ensuring that surplus food is used to its fullest potential.