The food collected
Over a million meals recovered against food waste. This is how much it was possible to serve, in 2023, to people who needed it, thanks to over 571 tons of collected food. Through the voluntary effort and commitment of 70 associations active in the provinces of Bergamo, Brescia and Mantua. The results of the 'food recovery' project organized by Lions International were presented in the Lombardy Region by the councilor for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Alessandro Beduschi. The press conference was attended by Pietro Fiocchi, MEP, member of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety commission, Fortunato Busana, president of Cpa (Hunting, Fishing and Environment) and creator of the 'Solidarity Boar' project, and Michele Bornaghi, president of Federcaccia Bergamo.
Donated and very healthy animals
“This solidarity project – declares Beduschi – represents an innovative model of sustainable management of food surpluses. One of the great waste issues in our society. What is left over is not thrown away but used to do good. The donated animals are very healthy. Furthermore, the work carried out by hunters in reducing the imbalance that led to the excessive prevalence of wild boar in unsuitable territories was particularly important. The solidarity aid given to the associations represents a very important common thread. So that this example can be positively repeated in other Lombardy provinces".
The project against food waste (2019-2023)
The project, born in 2019 on the initiative of the Lions Club International, involved the creation of a food collection and sorting platform: the collaboration between voluntary associations, manufacturing companies, traders and distributors is important in this regard. The products received as gifts are distributed free of charge to associations that assist families in difficulty. From 2019 to 2023, a total of over 1.500 tonnes of food were collected, worth over 4 million euros. “When the season ends – said Fortunato Busana – the hunter is the guardian of nature and sentinel of the environment. He becomes a civil protection volunteer, a blood donor, many are Alpine. The spirit of solidarity unites us, in fact, hunting is not just passion but ethics." The initiative within the initiative is that of the 'boar solidarity' which, thanks to the availability of the Bergamo hunting world, led to the distribution of over 150 kilos of meat last year. Food donated during lunches to two charitable organizations during the past holidays.
'Solidarity boar', 150 kilos of meat recovered
“Food recovery is a success story between the Lombardy Region, Lions and the hunting world – said Michele Bornaghi, Federcaccia Bergamo -. “The Bergamo wild boar hunting teams, as well as various entities from Federcaccia and more generally in the hunting world, have long been accustomed to pursuing charitable activities. The 'Cinghialai Bergamo', called to support the “Solidarity Boar” project, responded concretely. Federcaccia Bergamo organized the first supplies of meat to the canteens and supported the start of the initiative with a contribution of 400 euros". “Hunting and hunters – reiterated Councilor Beduschi in conclusion – are often the subject of a denigratory campaign which unfortunately makes inroads into public opinion. Joining this food recovery project highlights the commitment of the hunting world. A commitment which, in fact, is expressed in solidarity and becomes fundamental with a view to containing wild boar to combat the plague of African Swine Fever (ASF)”. (Source Emanuele Vertemati for LOMBARDIA NEWS)