Did you know that 40% of all food grown is wasted? Let that sink in for a moment, and I’m sure you will agree that it is a frightful figure.
We’re passionate about reducing the food waste figure and contributing to sustainable food production in Ireland and abroad.
So let’s look at some of the best ways to reduce food waste in your business today.
1. Track WHAT is being wasted.
When you know what and how much is being wasted, you can do something about it. Get a system in place. We will always vote for a digital one.
2. Know WHY it’s being wasted.
Once you know what, you can figure out why. If you are tracking multiple sites, you can compare and see if there is more waste in one area than another, so you’ll know if there is something specific wrong with a given site e.g. over-preparation, portion over-sizing or spoiled food.
3. Know WHO is creating it.
Maybe you have multiple people staffing the same area, but only some are responsible for measuring the waste? By getting all staff members involved it will increase adherence and reduce waste.
4. Use transparent bags.
This simple change means you can physically see what is being wasted.
5. Monitor portion control.
Is there a lot of food coming back on plates in your restaurant? And perhaps there is a commonality in the type that’s returning to the kitchen. Pay attention, and you can make the right changes.
6. Store products correctly.
Especially in the world of perishable goods, ensure you choose your storage right so nothing is going off before it should be.
7. Make sure your order is accurate.
When you know what’s going in and what’s going out, then you’ll know what you need. When you bring accuracy to your ordering process and know what’s required at each site as well as shelf life, you contribute to less food waste.
8. Use what you buy.
You might have a set menu, but perhaps a special that can use some ingredients that otherwise would go to waste is a great way to reduce waste and provide a culinary change for customers. It can also be donated or in some cases fed to animals.
9. Get your staff involved.
We believe in engaging your staff in tackling food waste. This might involve having a system that makes them active participants in measuring and managing it (as mentioned previously), or it could mean investing in some training to give them the skills they need to make positive changes.
10. Think long-term.
The digital age isn’t going anywhere, and it’s becoming a necessity for operations as we all adapt to this new norm. Considering the latest technologies is now a must for any business owner and regularly asking yourself what technologies can you employ to improve productivity and extend the shelf life of your products and reduce food waste is essential. This may require an investment you didn’t initially plan for or change how you model inventory but if you act long term in this way, then you will benefit in the long run too by producing less waste and increasing your gross profit margin.
These are only 10 ways to reduce food waste in your business, but there are so many others that you could try too. We’d encourage all businesses to explore the areas where they can make a change as every step towards reducing waste is a step towards a cleaner, greener environment.
And now is the time to get started.
