The Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix has enabled more than 3.6 tonnes of food to be recovered and redistributed through its food surplus recovery project.

Thanks to the joint commitment of Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the catering company, the recipient associations, the volunteer network coordinated by CSV Monza Lecco Sondrio, and ATS Brianza, it was possible to organise the recovery, handling and redistribution of food to 9 associations operating across 6 municipalities, reaching 846 people belonging to 375 families.

The figures from the initiative highlight the value of the work carried out: more than 2,600 kg of fresh produce and over 1,000 kg of dry goods were recovered, with vegetables, fruit, bread, cheese, meat and preserved foods accounting for the majority. These food products provided tangible support to individuals and families experiencing hardship and vulnerability.

Alongside its social impact, the environmental benefits are also significant. Every kilogram of food recovered represents a reduction in food waste, disposal costs and the emissions associated with food production, transportation and waste management. The recovery of surplus food therefore contributes to reducing the event’s environmental footprint while promoting a more efficient use of available resources.

The initiative involved a total of 83 volunteers coordinated by CSV Monza Lecco Sondrio, with the operational support of Casa del Volontariato ETS.

In addition, 164 ornamental plants were donated for use in inclusive projects in the local community.

“Every year, the Grand Prix is also an opportunity to promote concrete actions for sustainability and social inclusion,” said Paola Palmieri, General Director of ATS Brianza. “Recovering surplus food means protecting the environment, promoting health and supporting families going through difficult times. It is a project that continues to grow and represents one of the best examples of collaboration between the public sector, private sector and volunteer organisations.

A particularly important aspect is the awareness-raising work carried out over the years, which has helped to progressively reduce the amount of surplus food generated during the event (16,000 kg in 2022, compared with 3,600 kg in 2026), confirming a growing awareness of the issue of food waste.

I would like to thank the staff of our Agency and all the volunteers who, with professionalism and dedication, have once again made it possible to achieve this important result.”

“We are truly delighted to see that the commitment we have pursued since 2022 together with ATS Brianza and CSV Monza Lecco Sondrio to prevent food waste before the event is now translating into such an efficient recovery operation,” said Giuseppe Redaelli, President of SIAS Autodromo Nazionale Monza. “This has been made possible by the increased awareness among industry operators, who are paying ever greater attention to consumption planning and to the careful planning of the food offering. Because we strongly believe in the Food Donation project — which we consider a cornerstone of our sustainability policy — we have extended this practice to several other races on our calendar as well. We will therefore continue to share this commitment, so that any surplus from the large quantities of food required to welcome hundreds of thousands of people does not become waste, but can instead be recovered and transformed into tangible support for those who need it.”

Filippo Viganò, President of CSV Monza Lecco Sondrio ETS, highlighted that “This project demonstrates the value of organised volunteering: without the training and coordination that CSV provides to associations, so much energy could risk being dispersed. I am particularly pleased by the involvement of so many volunteers: they brought enthusiasm and a practical approach to every stage of the surplus recovery process and its subsequent distribution, which was both widespread and immediate. It demonstrates that when a community comes together and organises itself, even a major sporting event can become an opportunity for widespread solidarity.”

Since its launch in 2022, the project has enabled more than 30 tonnes of food to be recovered in total.