Charlotte, N.C. (April 23, 2021) – On April 28, Compass Group and global nonprofit, Food Tank, will bring together more than 25 chefs, government, civic and business leaders – and celebrity guests – to rally communities across the country to take action and fight food waste. This special virtual event celebrates Stop Food Waste Day™, a global day of awareness established five years ago as a catalyst for change. Held on the last Wednesday of Earth Month, Stop Food Waste Day activities are designed to elevate the conversation around this significant issue, encouraging individuals and organizations to adopt small changes that can make a big difference in reducing food waste and protecting the environment.

Nearly 10,000 industry leaders and those passionate about fighting food waste have already signed up to participate in the free event, which takes place on Wednesday, April 28, from 2-3:30 p.m. EST.

Tickets are accessible here.

“Making a positive impact is embedded in our company culture,” said Amy Keister, SVP of Sustainability and Culinary at Compass Group, and founder of Stop Food Waste Day. “Now, as we approach the fifth anniversary of Stop Food Waste Day, we’re able to see that what started as an idea in a number of our cafes has become a global movement that continues to grow, especially with the line-up for this year’s groundbreaking event.”

The action-packed virtual event will showcase inspiring stories of progress and commitment from consumers, farmers, scientists, policymakers, businesses, chefs and organizations around the world working toward tangible, real results, including:

• Eric Leroy Adams, current Borough President of Brooklyn in New York City.
• U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
• Chef Lorenzo Boni, Executive Chef, Barilla America
• Chris Ivens-Brown, Chief Culinary Officer, Eurest
• Ed Brown, President of Restaurant Services at Restaurant Associates
• Jean Buzby, USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison
• Rocky Dawuni, a Grammy-nominated musician and UNEP humanitarian
• Tiffany Derry, well known for her appearances on Top Chef
• Ron Finley, teaches communities how to transform food deserts into food sanctuaries
• Maisie Ganzler, Chief Strategy & Brand Officer, Bon Appétit Company
• Dana Gunders, Executive Director of ReFED, a food waste nonprofit
• Michael Hancock, Mayor of Denver, Colorado
• Sam Kass, partner at Acre Venture Partners and former White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor
• Amy Keister, Senior Vice President – Sustainability & Culinary at Compass Group USA
• Vi Lyles, Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
• Emily Ma, head of Food for Good at Google
• Chef Cary Neff, Vice President of Culinary Support at Morrison Healthcare
• U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
• Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank
• U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
• Enrique Salmón, head of the American Indian Studies Program at Cal State University
• Margie Saidel, VP Nutrition and Sustainability, Chartwells K12
• Gene Smith, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, Ohio State University
• U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
• Tristram Stuart, author and founder of Feedback
• Haile Thomas, a Chef and Wellness + Compassion Activist
• Jon Utech, director of the Office for a Healthy Environment at the Cleveland Clinic
• Crystal Wahpepah, Owner, Wahpepah’s Kitchen
• Jodi Smith Westwater, responsible for overseeing Microsoft’s Dining program
• Michelle Wu, a member of the Boston City Council. She is the first Taiwanese American and first Asian American woman to serve on the council.

Cities and states across the country have also officially proclaimed April 28, 2021, as Stop Food Waste Day, including Charlotte, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, San Diego and Philadelphia. Many locations are also hosting local events to celebrate the day; for example, 15 Houston restaurants created zero-waste menus and will donate proceeds to shelters. In Charlotte, hospitals partnered with chefs to make thousands of fresh, hot-cooked meals for neighbors in need.

About Compass Group
Compass Group is redefining the food and support services landscape with innovation and passion through the lens of what’s next. Serving premier healthcare systems, respected educational institutions, world-renowned cultural centers, popular sporting and entertainment venues, and Fortune 500 organizations the world over, Compass Group always finds a way to deliver excellence in nearly any vertical. Whether it’s serving school meals students love, high-end concessions in stadiums, or nourishing, home style meals for seniors, Compass is an industry leader. Ranked No. 1 by industry peers on Fortune’s 2020 list of World’s Most Admired Companies, Compass also earned a spot on Forbes’ list of the Best Employers for Diversity in 2021 and is among the Top 50 Companies Changing the World according to Fortune. Learn more about the Compass experience at www.compass-usa.com.