To commemorate World Food Day, Marriott International teamed up with FoodForward SA (FFSA) to address food insecurity in South Africa, where 30 million people face hunger daily. Through this collaboration, more than 50 volunteers from 17 hotels within the hotel chain’s portfolio contributed to FFSA’s “Fill the Gap” campaign, packing 450 pallets of food—equivalent to 1.8 million meals—destined for vulnerable communities across the country.
Supporting FFSA’s mission to reduce hunger by recovering surplus food and redistributing it to those in need, Marriott employees worked together to sort and package essentials like rice, maize meal, and peanut butter. This initiative, aligned with the World Food Day theme, “The Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,” highlighted the importance of reducing food waste while ensuring access to nutritious meals.
“Food insecurity is one of South Africa’s most urgent challenges, and by collaborating with FoodForward SA, we were able to help bridge that gap,” said Johann Nortje, Chairperson of Marriott’s Southern Africa Business Council. “For Marriott, serving our world is a core value, and initiatives like this demonstrate the powerful impact we can make when we unite for a cause.”
Employees from various hotel brands in the Marriott portfolio—including Protea Hotels by Marriott, Marriott Hotels, The Westin, AC by Marriott, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott and Autograph Collection – took part in the food packing events across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Chefs and trainee chefs participated in cook-offs in these cities as well, demonstrating how nutritious and tasty meals can be created using the same ingredients distributed to communities. This hands-on cooking experience not only showcased culinary skills but also raised awareness about food insecurity.
This initiative forms part of the brand’s broader global commitment to sustainability and community impact, supporting local efforts that aim to tackle food insecurity and promote food systems that leave no one behind.