Mad Med Mest sets the bar for reducing food waste
Reducing food waste is a crucial initiative for a more sustainable future, and Mad Med Mest marks this with a food waste certificate.
A catering company in North Jutland can right now tick off a food waste certification. Their hard work has paid off, so they can now call themselves recipients of a food waste certificate.
Mad Med Mest delivers lunch arrangements to companies in Aalborg and the surrounding area with a special focus on sustainability. Their focus on social responsibility has become a part of their DNA, with more than 60% of their staff being socially marginalised people, which is an important part of their corporate philosophy:
"We want to deliver a high quality without compromising our sustainable approach. We do this by prioritising a good workplace with a focus on diversity" says Michel Lycoops, CEO of Mad Med Mest.
AN important mikestone in their work towards a more sustainable food industry
Mad Med Mest received their food waste certification on 21 April 2023 and have thus been able to document their food waste reduction and place sustainability high on the agenda:
"The daily focus on food waste means quick and significant reductions. At the same time, the reduction transforms directly into an improved bottom line due to the company's minimised purchasing needs" states Flemming Søndergaard Davidsen, Food Inspector at Bureau Veritas.
With a food waste certification, Mad Med Mest has been confirmed in their hard work and commitment to reducing food waste. At the same time, they can also be proud of their new acquired competencies:
"During the process, we have identified areas where we can improve our processes. We have implemented new digital solutions in our business and have learned more about the importance of having a structured and systematic approach to food waste reduction" Michel Lycoops points out.
But it is not only during the process that Mad Med Mest has benefited from a certification within food waste. They also feel how it has positively contributed to the caterer's position in the market:
"In addition to now being able to identify and reduce our food waste, we feel a great competitive advantage that shows our customers that we are extremely interested in reducing our environmental impact" Michel Lycoops emphasises.
A continuous focus on a greener transition
Mad Med Mest got acquainted with Bureau Veritas and their work within food waste via a webinar about the GCO project*. It was the common interest in a global commitment that determined the choice of a certification by Bureau Veritas:
"It is crucial for us that Bureau Veritas' food waste certification is a recognised global standard in food waste reduction. At the same time, Bureau Veritas has a strong position within the sustainability area, which is particularly important for us as a company" says Michel Lycoops.
Mad Med Mest demonstrates their commitment to reducing food waste and their commitment to implementing sustainable solutions in their business. They want to make a difference and contribute to a more sustainable future - both within their own business and in society in general:
"At Mad Med Mest we believe that it is possible to deliver a high quality in a way that takes the environment and our society into account. Therefore, it is important for us to reduce our food waste and focus on local, organic, and sustainable ingredients."
The special focus on a green transition is also noticed in the certification process. Lone Hansen, Market Leader Retail & Food at Bureau Veritas, explains:
"The process at Mad Med Mest has especially shown that the food waste culture in the company is highly important and that waste measurements cannot stand alone."
Spreading sustainable initiatives
But green initiatives have not been put on hold at Mad Med Mest. They plan to expand their radius and raise their awareness by reaching even more companies, continues Michel Lycoops:
"We wish to offer our sustainable mindset of lunch arrangements to a larger customer group. At the same time, we will continue to focus on our CSR and continue our efforts to reduce food waste and use local ingredients."
Therefore, Michel Lycoops is sending a big call to other companies who wish to join the wave towards a greener future:
"We chose a food waste certification, as it definitely has a positive effect on the environment and the society but it can also help us and other companies reduce costs and thus improve our reputation" concludes Michel Lycoops.
*The GCO project (Green Circular Transition) is a nationwide programme where small and medium-sized enterprises can, among other things, apply for investment grants to start or move forward with their green transition.
