Hospitality Sustainability Training: LightBlue & NHL Stenden Empower Students to Fight Food Waste
- Samut Bunnag
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
Leeuwarden Netherlands, July 2025
Two years after launching their sustainability partnership, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and LightBlue Consulting continue their shared commitment to food waste education in hospitality, equipping students with tools to drive more sustainable industry practices.
While the course structure has evolved since its launch in 2023, the mission remains clear: give tomorrow’s leaders the understanding and practical insight to tackle one of hospitality’s most persistent challenges: food waste.
I. Why Food Waste Education Still Matters in Hospitality
Food waste is more than an operational issue, it's a climate, economic, and reputational one. According to the United Nations Environmental Program, food waste contributes to 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with the hospitality and foodservice industries among the significant contributors.
Since the beginning of this partnership, both LightBlue and NHL Stenden have emphasized that real change starts with education. Preparing students with practical food waste training early on is key to creating conscious, future-ready professionals through LightBlue Learning.
That belief was proven in 2023, when more than 500 students and lecturers enrolled in LightBlue’s Online Food Waste Prevention Course as part of an institution-wide rollout. Many participants found the content to be insightful, relevant, and a powerful foundation for their sustainability mindset.
“The program not only provided me with valuable insights into the impact of food waste but also educated me on various techniques to minimize it… I developed a deeper understanding of sustainable food management and discovered innovative solutions to reduce waste.” – Jaro Klamer, NHL Stenden student
The course continues to provide value today, especially for those pursuing careers in hotel operations, culinary arts, and event management, thanks to its on-demand format and certification option.
II. Inside the LightBlue Learning Course
LightBlue Learning is a flexible, online course built on 13 years of industry insights, designed to make food waste education in hospitality and culinary schools both accessible and impactful, whether for students just entering the field or professionals looking to deepen their sustainability knowledge.
The course is divided into three tiers to meet different learning goals:
Foundation Course – Focuses on the fundamentals of food waste prevention in hospitality and foodservice environments.
Specialized Course – Dives deeper into food waste monitoring, tracking systems, and how waste reduction directly improves financial performance.
Advanced Course – Combines both tracks for a complete understanding of food waste strategy and operational impact.
The course is designed for:
Hospitality and culinary arts students
F&B professionals
Mid-to-senior managers
Executives in operations, finance, HR, or sustainability roles
Key features include:
✅ On-demand access for self-paced learning 🎮 Interactive elements such as mini-games to reinforce learning 📊 Instructor dashboards to track learner progress and engagement 🎓 Certificate of Excellence awarded upon completion
The course is easily implemented as part of a hospitality program as a standalone module and a foundation for broader sustainability learning tracks.
III. Trusted by Leading Hospitality & Culinary Schools
As the urgency for hospitality sustainability training grows, academic institutions around the world are turning to LightBlue Learning to deliver structured, industry-relevant food waste education. The course has already been adopted by top-tier hospitality and culinary schools across multiple countries and learning environments.
Ferrandi Paris integrated the course as part of its culinary sustainability initiatives, helping students understand the operational and ethical impact of waste reduction from inside the kitchen.
ESSEC Business School in France incorporated the training into its Food Chair onboarding process, making food waste prevention a foundational topic for students pursuing leadership roles in the food industry.
Le Cordon Bleu Dusit in Bangkok offered the course and an onsite workshop to provide international students with a cross-cultural perspective on food waste in both Western and Asian culinary contexts.
These institutions aren’t just adding sustainability content for compliance, they’re embedding it into the DNA of their academic offerings to prepare students as informed, responsible professionals in the rapidly changing landscape ahead.
“Not only did the online course raise their awareness about food waste, but it professionally equipped them to become advocates and leaders in their next positions in the F&B industry.” — Prof. Frédéric Oble, Program Director, ESSEC Business School
IV. What’s Next for NHL Stenden Students
As the new academic year approaches, LightBlue Learning will continue to be offered to students at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, part of an ongoing effort to embed food waste education in hospitality training programs.
Following earlier rollouts, a refreshed visibility campaign has been jointly developed by LightBlue and NHL Stenden to re-engage students after their summer break. The campaign will highlight how sustainability knowledge, particularly food waste prevention, can directly impact future career paths in hospitality, events, culinary arts, and F&B management.
Messaging will focus not just on environmental impact, but on the operational and business case for food waste reduction, helping students understand why this topic is no longer optional, but essential in today’s industry landscape.
“It’s promising to see the next generation of hospitality professionals actively engaging with the practical knowledge we’ve built over 13 years in the field. These are the insights that transform not just kitchens but entire operations.” – Benjamin Lephilibert, Founder & CEO, LightBlue Consulting
V. Curious How It All Began?
Check out the blog we published last year of how LightBlue and NHL Stenden first partnered to bring food waste education into the heart of hospitality studies.
Read it right here: How Food Waste Prevention Plays an Important Part with Hospitality Students at NHL Stenden
VI. Bring Food Waste Education to Your Hospitality Program
Are you an academic coordinator or university decision-maker looking to strengthen your sustainability curriculum?
LightBlue Learning is a ready-to-integrate food waste education online course designed to equip students with practical, industry-aligned skills. Institutions like NHL Stenden have already offered the course to support their mission of preparing future hospitality leaders for the challenges of tomorrow.
Get in touch with LightBlue Consulting by emailing us at contact@lightblueconsulting.com.
And take our free Food Waste Prevention Course now!
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