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How to Reduce Food Waste in Restaurants

food waste in a box - How to Reduce Food Waste in Restaurants

When working in the foodservice industry, you’re going to come across kitchen waste. In order to get the most out of your ingredients and save more money in the long run, keep tabs on the best practices to reduce  waste. Learn more about how to prevent food waste in restaurants, how to calculate potential causes and solutions and more with us.

Causes of Food Waste

According to Food Print, “approximately 4 to 10 percent of food purchased by restaurants is wasted before reaching the consumer.” Food waste can be caused by a number of things ranging from a rodent infestation on the farm to the kitchen ordering more produce than needed and throwing out the extras. Here are just a few of the causes of food waste in restaurants that can end up costing you more:

  • Over-ordering
  • Throwing out due to blemishes
  • Food preparation
  • Insect damage
  • Equipment malfunction causing spoiled food
  • Customer’s unfinished plates

Food Waste Solutions

So as a business, what are some ways to reduce food waste in your restaurant? The first step is to look into new technology that can help you determine how much kitchen waste you’re creating. Using a tool like Leanpath will help you track what you’re using, how much to order and more to ensure you lower the amount that's thrown out. In addition to this, you can use the following food waste solutions for restaurants:

  • Store food appropriately to avoid premature spoilage
  • Buy the “ugly” foods others tend to throw out
  • Shop smarter
  • Be creative with leftovers
  • Cook with more sustainable ingredients
  • Look into composting food waste

Delivery & Packaging

Having sustainable packaging is a great way to avoid creating more than just food waste. WIthout recyclable or compostable packaging, your waste footprint grows. One great resource is Zero Waste Chef. Along with ways to reduce food waste, they can help you choose the right type of packaging and more efficient delivery options to shrink the amount of product that’s disposed of as well as the amount of plastics you put out into the world.

Food Waste in Healthcare

How can we prevent food waste in healthcare facility kitchens? This might require a more thought out plan to ensure it’s at a minimum. Below we have some easy solutions to help cut down on waste. If you want to learn more on sustainable practices for healthcare facilities, check out our detailed sustainability guide

  • Outsourcing a company to take away compostable food waste
  • Smaller orders of perishables to prevent food going bad
  • Evenly portioning out meals
  • Join recycling programs and offer more recycling bins
  • Look into local farmers and locally sourced food options

How to Calculate the Food Waste Percentage in Restaurants

After learning about the causes of food waste in restaurants, it’s important to stay on top of how you can avoid this in your business. Start by calculating how much waste you create. Here’s how to get started:

  • During this trial, dispose of all food waste into a designated bin.
  • After each shift, weigh the bin and log it in a spreadsheet.
  • Compare these numbers with your sales numbers and inventory to get a rough estimate on how much is being wasted.

It’s also helpful to invest in a food waste prevention system that can help you track the amount of kitchen waste in your restaurant. Learn more about these technologies and more with us when you check out our articles on food trends, learn about sustainable packaging and more.