AIS Saigon and The Caterers become the first school partners to join VietHarvest’s food rescue network.

Ho Chi Minh City, June 2025 — The Australian International School in Ho Chi Minh City (AIS Saigon) and The Caterers have officially become the first school partners to join the food donation network coordinated by VietHarvest. This marks a meaningful step forward in promoting sustainability and social responsibility within the education sector.

The partnership was formally announced during a special event held on the AIS campus, with the attendance of Mr Darren White – Chief Executive Officer of The Caterers, Mr Jon Standen – Principal of AIS Saigon, and Ms Phuong Anh Ngo – Representative of VietHarvest. Together, the parties symbolically donated surplus meals that meet safety and quality standards, carrying the deeply human message: “No food should go to waste when there are still people in need of nourishment.”

SURPLUS FOOD – A RESOURCE TRANSFORMED INTO CARE

Recent surveys indicate that a Vietnamese primary school student leaves behind approximately 23% of their lunch on average – equivalent to around 85 grams of food per meal. Over the course of a school year, this could amount to more than 15 kilograms of wasted food per child – a concerning figure in a country where malnutrition still affects many disadvantaged communities.

Believing that food waste is a solvable issue through cross-sector collaboration, VietHarvest welcomes the pioneering participation of AIS Saigon and The Caterers, setting a powerful example for other schools and school meal providers nationwide.

THE CATERERS – A CATERING PARTNER COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY WELLBEING

With over 20 years of experience in delivering internationally standardised school meals, The Caterers places a strong focus on safety, balance, and meeting students’ nutritional needs. Beyond food service, the organisation continuously champions sustainability initiatives and embeds social responsibility at the core of its operations.

Becoming the first school catering partner to join VietHarvest’s programme is a testament to The Caterers’ unwavering commitment to minimising food waste, maximising the use of surplus resources, and supporting vulnerable communities – especially undernourished children.

NURTURING A BETTER-FED FUTURE, TOGETHER

By officially joining VietHarvest’s food donation network, AIS Saigon and The Caterers now stand alongside a growing list of forward-thinking hotels, restaurants and retailers across Vietnam in the fight against food waste.

The donated meals not only reduce landfill waste but also provide vital nutrition to social organisations and school-aged children in need – making a real difference in their learning journeys and overall well being.

“We hope the leadership shown by AIS Saigon and The Caterers will inspire many more schools to join this collective mission – to build a more nourished, sustainable, and compassionate community,” shared Mr Darren White, Chief Executive Officer of The Caterers.

For more information, please visit: www.thecaterers.vn