National Restaurant Association Show Donates 170,300 Pounds of Food and Supplies, Reinforces Commitment to Sustainability

CHICAGO (June 25, 2025) — The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, held May 17–20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, reaffirmed its continued commitment to responsible event practices through expanded sustainability initiatives and a continued charitable partnership. A key element of this commitment was the donation of 170,300 pounds of food and supplies to local nonprofit Fight2Feed, more than doubling the total donation from 2024. In addition, the Show addressed food waste on-site, with a new LFC biodigester from partner Power Knot processing 600 pounds of organic waste generated during the event.

“We’re proud to see the foodservice community come together in such a meaningful way to support our host city and reduce the Show’s environmental impact,” said Tom Cindric, President of Exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice Group. “Our continued partnership with Fight2Feed reflects the hospitality industry’s generous spirit. Giving back and operating responsibly are core to our mission, and we’re grateful to our exhibitors and partners who help make that possible.”

Partnering to Address Food Waste and Hunger
The Show's four-year partnership with Fight2Feed directly addresses the critical issue of food waste, which the Chicago-founded nonprofit reports as an 86-billion-pound annual problem in the U.S. This year, the 501(c)(3) organization rescued surplus food, kitchenware, and other essential supplies directly from Show exhibitors. Operating from a 22,000-square-foot donated kitchen in McCormick Place, Fight2Feed transforms these materials into healthy meals for the community, allowing them to scale their impact during the Show.

"This year marked a record-breaking level of food recovery from the Show for Fight2Feed, representing a significant milestone in our ongoing sustainability partnership with OVG Hospitality at McCormick Place,” said Jiwon McCartney, founder and CEO of Fight2Feed. “The success of this event underscores our shared commitment to reducing waste and addressing hunger. Since February 2021, Fight2Feed has rescued nearly 7 million pounds of food and served over two million meals. We are deeply grateful for this collaboration and the continued opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”

Implementing Sustainable Practices On-Site
The Show’s commitment to environmental responsibility was reflected in a multi-faceted strategy combining new technology with practical, eco-friendly operations. A key component of the Show's sustainability program was its direct approach to on-site food waste processing. In partnership with Power Knot, a new LFC biodigester processed 600 pounds of organic waste generated from The Culinary Experience stage and Tasting Zone. By transforming the leftover food on-site, the technology provided a sustainable alternative to sending waste to a landfill.

“The LFC biodigester from Power Knot processed over 600 pounds of food waste, diverting it from Chicago landfills and preventing the release of approximately 1.3 tons of CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent). By digesting waste on-site, the food waste digester from Power Knot significantly reduced the event’s environmental footprint, converting the waste into water that was safely discharged into the Convention Center’s sewage system,” said Iain Milnes, president of Power Knot.

Alongside this new food waste initiative, the Show implemented several other key sustainability measures, including:

• Digital-First Resources: Attendee information was provided through a mobile app, digital publication wall, and QR codes, reducing the need for printed materials.
• Sustainable Event Production: Event services provider Freeman used energy-efficient AV equipment and printed graphics on recyclable substrates with non-VOC inks. Exhibitors were also encouraged to move away from disposable booths.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction: A comprehensive shuttle service helped lower emissions by reducing single-car traffic to and from the venue.
• Plastic Waste Reduction: Water bars in all three exhibit halls encouraged the use of reusable bottles and reduced single-use plastic waste.
• Venue Infrastructure: The Show leveraged McCormick Place’s sustainable infrastructure, including facility-wide LED lighting (reducing carbon footprint by 12%) and the Grind2Energy program, which converts food waste into renewable energy.
• Compostable Serviceware: All disposable serviceware was fully compostable and provided by food and beverage partner OVG Hospitality.

The 2025 Show’s sustainability program was supported by Silver partners Hoshizaki and Power Knot, and Bronze partners Real California Milk, Kraft Heinz Away from Home, and Tork.

The National Restaurant Association Show continues to prioritize community support and environmental responsibility as part of its broader mission to advance the foodservice industry. For more information on the Show's sustainability and inclusivity programs, click here.

Planning for the National Restaurant Association Show 2026 is now underway, taking place May 16-19 in Chicago. For more information, visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com. Connect with the Show online on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for event updates.

About The National Restaurant Association Show
Awarded by Trade Show Executive as the 2024 Gold 100 Grand winner of the largest trade show managed by an independent organizer, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® is the Western Hemisphere's most influential foodservice event showcasing industry innovations and trends. Each year (starting in 1919), the Show brings together restaurant operators and foodservice professionals for four days of celebrity-led demos, exhibits, sampling, education, and networking. The Show unites a global community and enables exploration of the latest advancements in food, beverage, equipment, technology, and solutions driving the industry forward. The Show is owned and operated by Informa in partnership with the National Restaurant Association. Visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com for more information.

About Informa
Informa is a leading international B2B markets, live and on-demand events and digital services group. They connect businesses and professionals in 30+ industries with the knowledge they need to learn more, know more, and do more. Informa has hundreds of global brands, products, and services and employs 11,000 employees in ~30 countries worldwide. 

Informa Connect is a content-led, live and on-demand experiences business that connects professionals with knowledge, ideas, and opportunities. Informa Connect, a community of over 1,000 colleagues globally, offers connection through events, media, and research. They service a number of different industries including Foodservice, Finance, BioTech and Pharma, Pop Culture, Marketing, Law, Energy, HR, Sustainability, and Construction. Visit http://www.informaconnect.com/ for more information.