For ten years, Food for Soul and Beko have shared a commitment to reducing food waste, promoting social inclusion, and building stronger communities through the power of food.
As one of Food for Soul’s early supporters, Beko has accompanied the organization on its journey from the first Refettorio in Milan to an international network of social kitchens, united by the belief that meaningful change grows through collaboration and long-term commitment.
Shared values, meaningful action
At the heart of this partnership is a common understanding of responsibility: the choices we make, the resources we use, and the ways we contribute to the wellbeing of the communities around us.
For Beko, this responsibility is closely connected to its work in the world of food. Through its Whirlpool brand, the company’s engineering, design, and food science teams in Cassinetta, Italy, have spent decades exploring how people prepare and preserve food in their homes.
This knowledge finds a natural connection with Food for Soul’s mission, where respecting the value of every ingredient is an essential part of daily work.
Over the years, Beko has supported Food for Soul through kitchen equipment, including refrigerators and freezers, as well as contributions to different initiatives and campaigns. These resources support the practical needs of the Refettorio projects, where surplus ingredients are recovered, carefully preserved, and transformed into nourishing meals.
The collaboration reflects a shared conviction that resources, knowledge, and expertise can contribute to addressing social and environmental challenges when brought together around a common purpose.
Growing together, creating lasting impact
Since the opening of Refettorio Ambrosiano in 2015, Food for Soul has developed an international movement that brings together nonprofit organizations, chefs, volunteers, artists, and partners around a shared vision of hospitality.
Each Refettorio responds to the needs of its local community, creating welcoming spaces where guests can enjoy nutritious meals, share conversations, and experience a sense of belonging.
For Beko, supporting this mission has meant maintaining a relationship that evolves over time. As the Refettorio Network has grown, the partnership has continued to reflect the importance of collective action and the belief that businesses can play an active role in building more inclusive communities.
This long-term approach is particularly meaningful in projects like Food for Soul, where lasting impact depends on the contributions of many different people and organizations, each bringing their own experience, skills, and resources.
As Akın Garzanlı, CEO of Beko Europe, shares: “One of the most rewarding aspects of the partnership with Food For Soul has been the chance to make a meaningful contribution to a cause with real social impact. Food for Soul demonstrates how food, culture and a sense of community can unite people and make a positive difference in the lives of those who need support the most.”
Looking ahead
Ten years into this collaboration, the shared commitment continues to look towards the future: strengthening communities, reducing food waste, and extending the values of hospitality and inclusion to more people.
The partnership between Food for Soul and Beko illustrates how sustained collaboration can connect different areas of expertise around a common social purpose.
From the equipment that supports daily kitchen operations to the people who prepare and share meals around the table, every contribution has a role in sustaining the Refettorio model and the communities it serves.
