Carnival Corporation has expanded its surplus meal donation program to The Bahamas, marking another milestone in the company’s global food waste reduction efforts by redirecting prepared meals from cruise ships to local community organisations.
The first donation under the new initiative took place on Grand Bahama Island, where surplus meals from Carnival Freedom and Carnival Conquest were distributed to the Grand Bahama Children’s Home and the Urban Renewal Authority for redistribution within the local community.
First Donations Delivered
More than 318 pounds of prepared but unserved meals were safely collected from the two cruise ships using established food safety procedures before being rapidly chilled, stored and transported ashore in accordance with local regulations.
The initiative forms part of Carnival Corporation’s Less Left Over strategy, which focuses on reducing food waste while supporting communities in destinations visited by the company’s ships.
Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government and Destination Affairs at Carnival Corporation, said the programme reflects the importance of collaboration with local partners.
“Working alongside government leaders and community organizations, we’re able to connect what happens on board our ships with real needs on shore, creating a simple, reliable way to get high-quality surplus meals to people who can benefit from them,” she said.
Supporting Communities in The Bahamas
The Honourable Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama, welcomed the expansion, saying the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to supporting local communities.
She said the programme helps ensure that quality meals reach people who need them while strengthening partnerships between Carnival Corporation and The Bahamas.
The meal donation programme complements Carnival Corporation’s broader investments across The Bahamas, where the company operates Celebration Key on Grand Bahama and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s Paradise Collection.
Broader Community Support
Beyond food donations, Carnival Corporation has continued supporting communities across The Bahamas through ship donation and volunteer programmes.
Since late 2025, the company has completed more than 20 ship donation projects across Nassau, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera, providing furniture, bicycles, clothing and household goods to schools, charities and community organisations.
According to the company, 19 organisations across The Bahamas have benefited from these donations, supporting disaster relief, education, healthcare, youth development and social services.
Global Food Waste Reduction Programme
The Bahamas becomes the latest destination to join Carnival Corporation’s surplus meal donation initiative, which was launched in 2017.
The programme now operates in 20 ports worldwide and has recently expanded across Latin America and the Caribbean, including launches in Roatán, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.
By the end of 2025, Carnival Corporation said the initiative had redistributed more than 320,000 meal portions globally, helping reduce food waste while supporting communities in destinations served by its cruise brands.
