Ponant & OzHarvest alliance is food for thought
Luxury small-ship cruise line Ponant Explorations has teamed with a leading food rescue group to support actions against food waste and deliver education programs on sustainability.
Ponant's three-year partnership with OzHarvest involves financial, in-kind and hands-on support for the charitable group's northern Australia team in its work getting good food to those who need it most. Financial contributions will also go towards schools outreach in the Northern Territory over three years, including professional development training for teachers.
Deb Corbett, CEO of Ponant Explorations Group for Asia-Pacific, says the partnership aligns with the France-founded expedition line's ethos built around giving back to the regions they visit.
'Working with local communities around the globe has been at the core of our vision since our beginning . . . It is only natural we give back as an acknowledgement of their contribution to the humbling experiences we deliver at sea, all around the globe.
'We look forward to contributing to OzHarvest's success in creating a sustainable future for many, the same way Ponant Explorations has led the way towards a more sustainable form of tourism. This alignment is an opportunity for our two organisations to make a great impact.'
OzHarvest was founded in 2004 by Ronni Kahn, who put in place a practical solution to the huge amounts of food going to waste from her events business.
Starting with a single van, the charitable group says it has grown to become Australia's leading food rescue organisation, with a few hundred staff and more than 3000 volunteers.
Ronni says: 'Operating out of Darwin, we rescue and deliver 350kg of essential food hampers each week and run a pop-up store in the Jabiru community, ensuring remote communities have access to fresh, nutritious food close to home.'
OzHarvest's striking yellow vans save about 250 tonnes of good food every week from donors, and deliver direct to 1500 food charities. Its goal is to halve Australia's food waste by 2030.
Ponant's funding will also support OzHarvest's nutritional and educational development program, FEAST, reaching more than 4400 students in 74 schools.
'Over 10 weeks, students dive into the issue of food waste and its environmental impact, learn about healthy eating, and get hands-on in the kitchen . . . helping young people understand the true value of food and develop practical life skills to become future change makers,' Ronni says.
Ponant has sailed in the Kimberley and other parts of northern Australia for more than a decade, limiting guest capacity of its small ships to about 200 people per voyage for low-impact exploration by sea.
There are cabins still available on a wide choice of Ponant's 2025 Kimberley voyages. Two of its small ships — Le Jacques Cartier and Le Soleal — will sail the 10-night Australia's Iconic Kimberley itinerary between Broome and Darwin from early June 2025.
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