illycaffè and Food For Soul jointly promote the sustainability of the food system, social inclusion, and well-being.

The Trieste-based company is launching a four-year effort to support the mission and projects of the non-profit organization Food For Soul worldwide.illycaffè, a global leader in sustainable high-quality coffee, is embarking on a four-year initiative to support Food For Soul, a non-profit organization founded by chef Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore.

Since 2015, their mission has been to take action against food waste and provide sustainable solutions to improve food security. In their global Refettorio projects, food is recovered daily, ensuring that the most vulnerable have a dignified meal at the table. The core idea behind this effort was inspired by solidarity actions to combat food waste and support social inclusivity. This inspired the “Refettorio” model, which transforms abandoned or underutilized spaces into community hubs where hundreds of socially vulnerable people feel welcome every day, and communal dining helps forge new bonds. These spaces become increasingly special, thanks in part to the culinary teams of Refettorio and the many international and local chefs who volunteer their skills, knowledge, and time to support the effort and provide a moment of taste, respite, and love.

Dedication to sustainability and fundamental, inalienable human rights are values deeply rooted in illy’s DNA, which has always pursued the mission of delighting lovers of the good and the beautiful worldwide with the finest sustainable coffee nature can offer, while encouraging a healthy and just food system.

“There is an enormous world behind this project, one that embraces the universe of food while integrating art, design, architecture, and sustainability. All of these values have been part of the illy universe since the beginning,” says Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè. “In complex times like these, where the demand for assistance from families and individuals facing difficulties increases every day, simple gestures can make a difference. That’s why illy has decided to contribute to Food For Soul, the non-profit organization founded by our chef ambassador Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore, which supports and helps socially vulnerable people in its Refettorio projects worldwide.”

illy Chef Ambassador Massimo Bottura adds: “Cooking depends not only on the quality of the ingredients but also on the quality of ideas. In Food For Soul, as in every other project of our Francescana Family, our focus in the kitchen is on how ideas take shape, how they are inspired by culture, and, now more than ever, how they are driven by social choices. illy’s philosophy is based on values we share and deeply believe in, a combination of creativity and quality for a sustainable approach to food.”

Over the next four years, illycaffè will support the organization’s efforts as a “Curator of Tomorrow,” providing financial support and in-kind support to expand the Refettorio projects. This support will help develop new community spaces and increase the number of meals served to socially vulnerable and isolated communities while preventing the waste of over 60 tons of food annually. illycaffè’s support will also extend to donating coffee and other products and supporting the organization’s Learning Network, designed to facilitate dialogue and idea exchange among the organization’s partners worldwide.

“Social change is faster and more sustainable when we collaborate to overcome complex challenges that prevent people from living well and affect the health of our planet,” shares Lara Gilmore, President of Food for Soul. “We are delighted that illy is part of Food For Soul’s global family of supporters committed to good food without waste and promoting inclusive communities. Their ongoing commitment to social and environmental causes, combined with our shared values, will nourish our development work, increase our impact, and help us advance the culture.”