Ponant Explorations and OzHarvest celebrate fight against food waste

Ponant Explorations and food rescue organisation OzHarvest celebrated their new partnership to support action against food waste and education programs on food and sustainability, holding a lunch in Sydney.

The leader in luxury small ship cruising, the Ponant Explorations lunch at Chiswick Woollahra was attended by senior staff, including deputy CEO Global Business, Belinda Hindmarsh; CEO Asia Pacific, Deb Corbett; Director of Marketing & Communications Charles Boutet; and Captain David Marionneau-Châtel.

One of the travel trade’s favoured launch venues, Chiswick owner Matt Moran recently announced Samuel Rozsnyoi as its new head chef. Most recently Rozsnyoi was head chef at Potts Point’s Dear Sainte Eloise and has created a new menu highlighting autumn produce.

With a three-year alliance in place from this year, the Asia Pacific division of Ponant Explorations – part of the Ponant Explorations Group – said the new initiative aligns with the company’s ethos that are built around giving back to the regions they visit as part of their small-ship operations.

Having sailed in the Kimberley region and other parts of Northern Australia for over a decade, Ponant Explorations’ new commitment is a natural extension of the
company’s involvement in the region and their sailing operations in close collaboration with the local communities.

“Ponant Explorations’ concept of small ship adventures evolves around authenticity and connection. Working with local communities around the globe has been at the core of our vision since our beginning,” Corbett said. “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” she concludes.

OzHarvest Founder Ronni Kahn AO said powerful things happen when good people come together with a shared purpose.

“Our partnership with Ponant Explorations is helping us do just that,” Kahn said. “Thanks to their support, our team in the Northern Territory can continue getting good food to those who need it most. 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.”

“Ponant Explorations is also supporting our FEAST program, a curriculum-aligned education initiative for primary and high school students. 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.

“With Ponant Explorations’ contribution, we’ll be able to bring this program to over 70 schools and reach more than 4,400 students — helping young people understand the true value of food and develop practical life skills to become future change makers.”