IHG Hotels & Resorts and OzHarvest Reach Milestone 1 Million Meals

IHG Hotels & Resorts and food rescue organisation OzHarvest have delivered more than one million meals to people in need across Australia, marking a key milestone in a partnership that has been operational since 2018. The achievement reflects combined efforts across hotel operations, community programmes, and food redistribution initiatives aimed at reducing waste and addressing food insecurity.

The milestone was confirmed by both organisations, highlighting sustained engagement from hotel teams, corporate initiatives, and local partnerships that have contributed to meal distribution across multiple regions in Australia.

IHG Hotels & Resorts Reaches One Million Meal Milestone

The collaboration between IHG Hotels & Resorts and OzHarvest has been active for over six years, combining food rescue operations with fundraising and volunteering programmes. The one million meals delivered milestone is the cumulative result of ongoing initiatives embedded within hotel operations and corporate social responsibility programmes.

According to IHG, the outcome reflects contributions from staff, hotel teams, and partners across its Australian portfolio. OzHarvest, which focuses on redistributing surplus food to communities in need, has worked with IHG to channel excess food into structured meal delivery systems.

The initiative is part of broader efforts within the hospitality sector to address food waste, particularly in hotel operations where surplus food generation is a recurring operational challenge.

Multiple Initiatives Drive Food Rescue and Distribution

The partnership includes several structured programmes designed to support both food redistribution and community engagement. One of the primary initiatives is “Stay for Good,” an annual campaign under which participating IHG hotels donate $1 for every room night during the campaign period.

Additional activities include the Winter Soup Challenge, which has delivered more than 3,000 litres of soup, and dry goods drives that have contributed over 2,500 kilograms of essential items. These programmes are supported by staff participation, volunteer engagement, and coordination with OzHarvest’s distribution network.

IHG teams have also participated in initiatives such as OzHarvest’s CEO CookOff, further integrating the partnership into broader community outreach and fundraising efforts.

Hospitality Training and Employment Pathways Included

Beyond food distribution, the partnership extends into workforce development through OzHarvest’s Nourish programme. This initiative focuses on supporting young people facing barriers to education and employment by providing hospitality training and life skills development.

Participants in the programme gain exposure to real-world hotel operations through mentoring, work experience, and direct interaction with food and beverage teams within IHG properties. The structure is designed to build practical skills, confidence, and long-term employability in the hospitality sector.

The inclusion of training and employment pathways positions the partnership beyond immediate food relief, incorporating longer-term community development objectives aligned with industry workforce needs.

Aligned with Global Responsible Business Targets

The collaboration contributes to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ broader “Journey to Tomorrow” responsible business plan, which includes a commitment to improve the lives of 30 million people by 2030. Food rescue and community support initiatives form part of this strategy, particularly in markets where food insecurity and waste coexist.

Through partnerships with organisations such as OzHarvest, the company integrates localised solutions into its global sustainability framework. The approach combines operational practices with community engagement, aligning corporate objectives with regional social impact.

The partnership also complements IHG’s global collaboration with Action Against Hunger, extending its focus on food security and community resilience across multiple markets.

Expansion of Food Rescue Model Across Asia-Pacific

Following the outcomes in Australia, IHG has extended similar food rescue efforts into other markets within the Asia-Pacific region. Initiatives such as VietHarvest in Vietnam and support for JapanHarvest reflect an expansion of the model into additional geographies.

These programmes are designed to replicate the operational framework established in Australia, adapting it to local market conditions and community requirements. The expansion indicates a broader shift within hospitality towards structured food waste management and redistribution systems.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has indicated that it will continue its partnership with OzHarvest, with the “Stay for Good” campaign scheduled to return in September. The programme is expected to contribute further to community support efforts while reinforcing the operational integration of sustainability initiatives within hotel networks.

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