In Hatay Iskenderun, which was deeply affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the spirit of cooperation and solidarity continues to grow on April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day. In this context, Eksun Gıda, known for its Sinangil brand, a popular brand in the flour market and standing out with its works that add value to society, provided 5 tons of flour support to Gönül Mutfağı to meet the bread needs for lunches distributed to primary school children. Thanks to the shipment that set off from Eksun Gıda's Konya factory, the flour needs of the "Gönül Mutfağı Sets the Tables of the Future" project covering 12 primary schools in Hatay and Iskenderun were met.

Sinangil Support for Gonul Mutfağı

Gönül Mutfağı has been continuing its work, primarily distributing hot meals, with the support of volunteers since February 6, 2024-2025 The project, “The Heart Kitchen Sets the Tables of the Future”, includes the furnishing of dining halls in primary schools and the preparation of lunches for children in the academic year. The project is being implemented with the support and cooperation of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of National Education, Hatay Provincial Directorate of National Education, İskenderun District Directorate of National Education, İskenderun District Governorship.

The Gonul Mutfağı is Setting Up the Tables of the Future project reaches 12 primary schools and 3300 students daily. The support provided by Eksun Gıda through Sinangil Un is used for the daily bread needs of children.

Source: HORECA TREND and Eksun Food

Sabanci Holding and Carrefour Group subsidiary, the leading brand of the Turkish retail sector CarrefourSA While delivering the right product to its customers from the right manufacturer at the right price with its staff of 71 people, including 1250 stores and dealers in 15.000 provinces, it also continues to be a pioneer in the field of sustainability with the projects it has implemented. 'If Fishing Lives, Quarries Live!' CarrefourSA, which set out with the motto, implemented in Ocaklar Village in Balıkesir Erdek 'Ghost Nets' With its project, it draws attention to the protection of small-scale coastal fisheries.

“We Aim to Spread from Ocaklar to Türkiye”

CEO of CarrefourSA Kutay Kartallioglu, In his statement about the project, he said, “Today, as CarrefourSA, we deliver the right fish to our customers. But delivering the right fish to future generations is also the responsibility of all of us. The way to do this is “correct fishing”. With our investments in sustainable marine resources, we emphasize that not only keeping the seas clean but also protecting the ecosystem is a responsibility. With the ‘Ghost Nets’ project we carried out in Ocaklar Village, we want to show that our seas are not only an economic resource but also indispensable for the sustainability of life.”

Kartallıoğlu, who says that seafood consumption in Türkiye is far behind Europe, continues as follows: “According to TÜİK data, while per capita seafood consumption in Türkiye is 7-7,5 kg per year, this figure goes up to 20-22 kg in Europe. As CarrefourSA, Türkiye’s largest fish retailer, we aim to increase Türkiye’s seafood consumption in line with this goal while bringing quality food together with our customers in a reliable manner and at the right pricing. We are the leading company advocating the Blue Economy in the organized food retail sector. We are working to increase seafood consumption in our country, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Of course, we also care about the continuity of the underwater ecosystem while doing this production. We contribute significantly to sea cleaning with the technology used within the scope of stuffed mussel production that we have implemented in Türkiye’s first and only integrated mussel facility.”

Women's Employment and Innovative Solutions

CarrefourSA's projects focused on Blue Economy and sustainable seas not only protect the seas, but also create social benefits. “As part of the project, training is being organized for those engaged in small-scale coastal fishing in Ocaklar Village in Balıkesir Erdek, and we aim to upload these trainings to digital platforms so that they are not limited to Ocaklar and benefit fishermen across Turkey,” said Kartallıoğlu, adding, “We are also developing projects to increase women's employment in the region. While collaborating with Türkiye's first integrated mussel facility in Ocaklar Village, we are providing a source of income for dozens of families. Currently, all employees in the integrated mussel facility, including the facility manager, are women.”

A Fascinating Story: Ghost Webs

CarrefourSA's "If Fishing Lives, the Quarries Live" project was conveyed with an impressive installation prepared by TBWA\Istanbul. The project draws attention to the fact that ghost nets, which remain under the sea as a result of wrongful fishing and prevent fish from reproducing, can actually turn a village that makes a living from fishing into a ghost village.

Ocaklar Village was covered with ghost nets collected from the seas by CarrefourSA and turned into a ghost village overnight. With this installation work, the message that although the visible landscape is not real, it can be our future was given. This ghost village created with ghost nets is a symbol of the future we will face if a solution is not found. However, this is only a warning. The project, which conveyed the message of “We still have a chance”, included the call of the local people, including old fishermen and young people. Drawing attention with the theme of “Ghost Nets”, the project revealed the urgency of taking action for our seas with an impressive visual.

Source: HORECA TREND and CarrefourSA

The Turkish Down Syndrome Association, which aims to increase public awareness of Down syndrome and strengthen the place of individuals with Down syndrome in society, has won a grant totaling 250 thousand USD from the Hilton Global Foundation. This grant will support the “Service Sector Career Development Project”, which will enable individuals with Down syndrome or mental disabilities to gain basic skills and actively participate in Turkey’s accommodation and service sector. The project, which will include 9 cafes and restaurants as well as 15 Hilton hotels, will also provide training and support to accommodation and service sector employees, university students and families of individuals with disabilities, thus benefiting them as well.

The Service Sector Career Development Project will pioneer the employment of individuals with Down syndrome or other mental disabilities in 9 different service businesses, such as cafes and restaurants, in addition to 15 Hilton hotels. A team member from each Hilton hotel will receive special training to become a job coach and will provide guidance to ensure that individuals integrate smoothly into the workplace. In cafes and restaurants, this role will be carried out by senior university students trained as job coaches under the guidance of TDSD experts. In addition, 1500 people working in businesses participating in the project will also receive awareness training on effective communication and collaboration in order to increase inclusivity in the sector.

As part of the project, the necessary support will also be provided to the families of individuals employed through this program. During this process, families who will receive training to learn how to better support their relatives in business life will have a more comprehensive approach to adapting to social and business life. This comprehensive project aims to provide permanent change in society by empowering individuals with mental disabilities as well as empowering their relatives who support them.

This project, which is a continuation of the strong and long-term collaboration between TDSD and Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center that began in 2014, has provided significant job opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome with the participation of two more Hilton hotels, and has also enabled the implementation of many studies that support their integration into society and independent living over the years.

E. Gün Bilgin, President of the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, “We continue our work to increase public awareness of Down syndrome in Turkey and to support individuals with Down syndrome in establishing a free and independent life. As the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, we have been increasing the visibility of individuals with Down syndrome and are happy to open brand new doors for them with this meaningful support that Hilton Hotels in Turkey, especially Hilton Istanbul Bomonti, have been providing for the last 10 years. Now, we are moving to a whole new level. The grant support provided by the Hilton Global Foundation will provide us with opportunities to conduct studies that will not only expand employment opportunities but also change the perception of disability in Turkey. We will continue our projects to improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, give hope to their families and raise awareness in society.”

David Kelly, Senior Vice President, Hilton Europe, “At Hilton, we believe that travel can be a force for good, and inclusion is at the core of that mission. We are proud to have worked with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association for over 10 years to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome, create greater understanding in our hotels, and be more inclusive. This grant from the Hilton Global Foundation represents a new step in taking our work to the next level to provide meaningful opportunities and create a positive impact in communities in Turkey.”

The cafés, restaurants and Hilton hotels within the scope of the project will be part of the “Valueable Network”, a European initiative that brings together companies that act with social responsibility in the service sector. This membership demonstrates the commitment of the participating institutions to more inclusive employment and also provides the opportunity to share experiences with similar organizations at an international level.

Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, the first hotel to collaborate with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, has pioneered the spread of employment opportunities and awareness initiatives in other Hilton hotels in Turkey. Over the years, Hilton Istanbul Bomonti has supported the Dans+11 by Hilton Istanbul Bomonti dance group, which was formed in collaboration with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association and consists of 1 young dancers with Down syndrome, as the main sponsor, as well as participating in the Istanbul Marathon, supporting awareness campaigns and undertaking projects that create employment opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.

About the Turkish Down Syndrome Association

The Turkish Down Syndrome Association is a non-governmental organization that closely follows current developments in the world and in Turkey regarding Down syndrome, and works continuously to promote Down syndrome and increase public awareness. Our association supports families and experts across the country, and aims to work in collaboration with all institutions by providing guidance on how to reach local support organizations. Our mission is to combat the discrimination that individuals with Down syndrome face at all ages and positions from infancy onwards, to provide equal opportunities and to strengthen their indispensable place in society by carrying out projects that affect society’s perception of disability.

About Hilton Global Foundation

The Hilton Global Foundation is Hilton’s main international philanthropic arm. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the United States and has a 501(c)3 charitable status. The Foundation is Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 goals The foundation provides grant programs that create positive impacts on travel destinations around the world. Foundation grants are awarded throughout the year in accordance with tax and legal requirements. Learn more about the Hilton Global Foundation HiltonGlobalFoundation.hilton.com You can visit.

Source: HORECA TREND and Hilton Global Foundation