The Lombardy Regional Council awards the Lions' "Food Recovery" service: nearly 5 million meals distributed since 2019.

At Palazzo Pirelli, the "Gio Ponti" Medal was awarded to Pierantonio Bombardieri and recognition was given to Lions District 108 Ib2 for its project against food waste. In 2025 alone, 745 tons of food were recovered and 1,39 million meals distributed.

MilanoJuly 7, 2026 – The Lombardy Regional Council today recognized the social value of the “Recupero Alimentare” project at Palazzo Pirelli, the service promoted by Lions District 108 Ib2 which, since 2019, has fought food waste and supported thousands of people in difficulty.

During the ceremony, Regional Council President Federico Romani presented the “Gio Ponti” Medal to Pierantonio Bombardieri, the creator and promoter of the project.

At the suggestion of Regional Councilor Michele Schiavi, a recognition was also given to Past Governor of the Lions District, Daniela Rossi Romano, for her commitment to promoting service, which has been defined as an advanced model for the sustainable management of surplus food and a replicable example of entrepreneurship in the service of solidarity.

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A project that combines circular economy and solidarity

Launched in 2019, the "Food Recovery" project focuses on the collection and redistribution of surplus food through a network of volunteer associations, manufacturing companies, retailers, distributors, and dedicated logistics centers, including the "Dispensa Sociale" in Bergamo.

The goal is to reduce food waste by transforming unsold or surplus food into tangible aid for vulnerable people.

The numbers for 2025: over 1,39 million meals distributed

The activity carried out in 2025 alone highlights the scope of the project:

• 745 tons of food recovered;
• over 2,6 million euros of economic value of redistributed food;
• 1 million 390 thousand meals served;
• 141 volunteers permanently engaged;
• 86 associations involved in the provinces of Bergamo, Brescia, and Mantua.

Since the project began, nearly 3.000 tons of food have been recovered, enabling the distribution of nearly 5 million meals to individuals and families in need.

Michele Schiavi: "A model worth exporting"

During the ceremony, regional councilor Michele Schiavi emphasized the initiative's innovative value.

Today, I wanted to bring to the attention of the regional institution an innovative model for the sustainable management of surplus food, born from people and organizations who have dedicated themselves to serving our local communities with heart and soul. This model and project can be replicated in other regions and certainly constitute a significant example of best practice to be adopted and exported, perfectly combining the concept of a circular economy with the principle of subsidiarity.

Bombers: "Networks are essential"

Pierantonio Bombardieri highlighted how the project's strength lies in the network built over the years.

Experience shows that projects like ours are strengthened and take on greater meaning when they are structured and become a network that allows people to move and connect with each other. Networks are a fundamental asset for the transmission and sharing of knowledge, as well as for the dissemination of best practices. And in this case, our network also takes on a strong social and solidarity value.

Romani: "A reward for volunteers"

President Federico Romani wanted to dedicate the award to all the people involved in the project every day.

This award recognizes the Lions' commitment to promoting the "Food Recovery" service, but it is also, and above all, a reward for the many volunteers and individuals who dedicate their time every day to serving others with passion and generosity. These are values ​​and hallmarks of our region that we are proud of, and this project is a direct example of this.

Institutions and representatives of the Lions were present

The ceremony was also attended by Aurora Minetti, the president of the Bergamo Host Lions Club Daniele Zucchinali, and Tullia Vecchi, a member of the Service Commission and the District's institutional relations representative.

Regional Councilor Ivan Rota was also present, thanking the volunteers and project promoters for their service to the community.