SD/AWC joined Ikigai and SOS

Editorial Team

AWC joins forces with ‘Ikigai’ and ‘SOS Thailand’ for food sustainability and food waste management

Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, signed an agreement in November 2 with two leading sustainability partners: "Ikigai", an expert in food chain sustainability and the "Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS Thailand)”, Thailand's first food rescue foundation, an expert in food waste management and reduction through the donation of quality surplus food to the community.

The two organizations are partners of AWC in the "AWC Alliances for Better Future" project under the circular economy dimension to drive food and surplus food management to maximize the benefits while creating holistic value for the environment, society, and local communities.

Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat, chief executive officer and president of Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), said that, "We are delighted to sign a memorandum of understanding with "Ikigai" and the "Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS Thailand)” and join forces to enhance the strength and comprehensively expand the food chain management of AWC’s hospitality business.

AWC believes that partnering with all sectors will create true value for the environment, community and the country toward holistic sustainability and long-term stable growth. Therefore, AWC intends to invite partners who share the same values to join together for "Building a Better Future" under the “AWC Alliances for Better Future” project to expand the sustainability operations covering all dimensions and elevate Thailand to become a global sustainability destination.

Quality food scarcity and food waste have long been an issue in the community. As a corporate citizen in the same community, AWC is committed to continuing the development of food management projects in AWC affiliated hotels, such as the Athenee Hotel which was the first hotel in the world to receive the 100 % All-Star award from the PLEDGE on Food Waste after it reduced food waste in accordance with UN standards. Additionally, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok received the Food Waste Hero Excellence Award 2021 from the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS Thailand).

AWC believes that the power of alliances with a shared vision to create value for all stakeholders will create sustainability management in a concrete way, while covering all dimensions from upstream to downstream. This begins with ingredients sourced from local farmers for AWC affiliated hotels, to reducing food waste by donating any surplus to communities and underprivileged groups in Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai, and sorting food waste to be used as animal feed and composting.

Through this, they are helping tackle the problems caused by discarding large amounts of food waste at AWC affiliated properties, in line with the circular economy concept, and AWC aims to reduce waste to landfill from its operations to zero by 2030.

Mr. James Douglas Noble, founder of Ikigai, said that,“Ikigai is committed to driving sustainability to preserve the environment for future generations. With a creative business model that is consistent with strengthening the sustainable management of the food chain, we will continue to collaborate with AWC affiliated hotels and initiate projects such as 360° Cuisine, agrotourism, and a signature Farm-to-Table Restaurant. With my background as a 2-star Michelin chef turned sustainable farmer, I merge this commitment with Ikigai, creating a new culinary and farming concept and helping develop new F&B services.”

Ikigai sources organic ingredients from local farmers and use indigenous products to cook in order to reduce carbon emissions. In December, Ikigai will open its flagship restaurant in Chiang Mai to encourage consumers to eat fresh, clean, and organic food while also giving back to society and nature. Through this collaboration with AWC, Ikigai is involved in further developing food sustainability programs for AWC affiliated hotels and aims to expand the partnership to cover hotels in Bangkok and other cities in Thailand.”

Mr. James Leyson, managing director, Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS Thailand), said "the collaboration between SOS Thailand and AWC started with the shared value of the two organizations to contribute value to the community and society. We jointly manage food surplus from AWC affiliated hotels by delivering quality food to underprivileged local communities that SOS has operated in many areas in Thailand.

This collaboration also aims to reduce food waste to landfill by delivering nutritious food to the community and SOS also provides hotel employees with the skills and knowledge in line with the United Nations Food Loss and Food Waste Management measures. SOS Thailand has collaborated with many hotels under AWC such as Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park and the Athenee Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, Bangkok to deliver surplus food to 178 local communities, in the form of 158,580 meals to create equal access to quality food for people.

By 2025, SOS Thailand also aims to deliver 40 million meals from surplus food to local communities, supported by AWC, which is committed to expanding their food management operations to all hotels under AWC located in Bangkok and expanding to their retail properties.”