Trigon Hotels, FoodCloud, and NCE Partner to Tackle Food Waste and Food Insecurity

Cork’s Trigon Hotels has strengthened its commitment to sustainability and community support through a partnership with FoodCloud and Northside Community Enterprise (NCE). The collaboration aims to transform surplus food into nutritious meals, addressing both food waste and food insecurity within the region.

Transforming Surplus into Sustenance

The partnership, initiated by Alex Petit, Group Executive Head Chef at Trigon Hotels, and Carmel Lonergan, Director of Group Operations, demonstrates a practical approach to reducing food waste. Trigon Hotels, encompassing the Metropole Hotel and Cork International Hotel, recognized the potential to redirect edible surplus food to those in necessitate. FoodCloud, a non-profit organization, plays a crucial role in this process by connecting businesses with surplus food to charities and community organizations.

FoodCloud’s Impact in Ireland

FoodCloud supports over 50 charities in Cork and, in the past five weeks alone, has redistributed 22.5 tonnes of food weekly – the equivalent of 54,000 meals.¹ This highlights the scale of food waste and the potential for positive impact through redistribution. “Surplus” food includes items that cannot be sold due to overproduction, packaging changes, short shelf life, or inaccurate forecasting.

A Unique Dining Experience at NCE

To showcase the partnership, a unique dining experience was hosted at NCE’s main campus in Farranferris on February 19th, 2026.² Forty guests were treated to a three-course meal prepared and served by NCE attendees, led by Chef Alex Petit, using ingredients sourced from FoodCloud’s network. Dishes included beef koftas, pork medallion katsu with curry sauce, and spelt and pear sponge.³

Addressing Food Waste and Poverty

The collaboration underscores the growing issue of food poverty in Ireland. In 2024, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) estimated that approximately 484,200 people in Ireland experienced food poverty, lacking access to an adequate and nutritious diet.³ This occurs despite Ireland being one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita.

FoodCloud’s Broader Reach

Founded in 2013 by Aoibheann O’Brien and Iseult Ward, FoodCloud has expanded its operations beyond Ireland. Utilizing its Foodiverse technology platform, the organization now operates in Britain, Central Europe, and Kenya, connecting surplus food with community partners. Since 2014, FoodCloud estimates it has rescued 177,733 tonnes of surplus food, equivalent to 423.2 million meals, and avoided carbon emissions of 508,388 tonnes.⁴

The Role of Households in Food Waste

Even as FoodCloud works with retailers and food businesses, Irish households contribute the largest portion of food waste – 26% of the total 835,000 tonnes generated in 2025. This equates to approximately €1.2 billion worth of food and an average cost of €700 per household annually.¹

Looking Ahead

FoodCloud aims to position Ireland as a leader in the circular food economy and food sharing over the next five years. The partnership with Trigon Hotels and NCE represents a significant step towards achieving this goal, demonstrating the power of collaboration in addressing food waste and supporting communities.