Focus on Reducing Food Waste in 2023

Bonji Foods Aficionado Smart Brief: Volume 54

Hi all, welcome back to the Bonji Food Aficionado Smart Brief! Happy Tuesday and we hope you had an amazing weekend! Have you ever bought a bunch of fresh produce with the best of intentions, only to let it go to waste in the back of your fridge? Or have you tossed out a carton of milk because it expired before you had a chance to finish it? If so, you're not alone – food waste is a huge problem, both environmentally and economically. In fact, it's estimated that around one-third of all food produced in the world is wasted! As for restaurant owners or managers, reducing food waste not only helps your sustainability goals, but it can also have a positive impact on your bottom line. But the good news is that there are steps we can all take to reduce food waste in our own kitchens, business-related or at home.

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Business Related Food Waste Solutions 1. Portion Control Implement portion control: By offering smaller portion sizes or offering the option for customers to "upgrade" to larger portions, you can help reduce the amount of food that goes uneaten. Leftover food is something restaurants can't do much with, thus it's massively important to manage portions, while still keeping customers pleased. 2. Utilize technology There are many apps and software programs available that can help you track and forecast food waste, allowing you to make more informed purchasing decisions and reduce waste in the long run. Forecasting systems, like Tenzo, have shown amazing results for a ton of restaurants, with only more to come! We always talk about the coming technology, but there are already plenty of options to help save on food waste. 3. Donate Excess Food If it does get to the point of having excess food at the end of a shift, donating leftovers is another potential outcome! Many organizations, such as food banks and shelters, will happily accept donations of excess food. Not only will this help reduce waste, but it's also a great way to give back to your community.

At-Home Related Food Waste Solutions 1. Plan Meals in Advance It may seem like it can be time-consuming or a bit much to handle, but in truth, planning your meals is simple and efficient! Before heading to the grocery store, take some time to plan out what you'll be eating for the week. This will help you buy only what you need, and reduce the chances of those unopened containers of yogurt or half-used bags of lettuce ending up in the trash. If you don't know where to begin, here's a good beginners guide. 2. Use Up Leftovers! Of course, you can't do it all the time, but using up what's in your fridge can often go a long way. Take some time and get comfortable with what is in your kitchen. Got a bunch of random ingredients hanging out in your fridge? There's no need to let them go to waste – get creative and turn them into a delicious new meal. Soup, frittatas, and stir-fries are all great options for using up leftovers, plus the endless lists of recipes you can find on the internet! 3. Compost Your Food Scraps If you do end up with some food waste, consider starting a compost bin. Not only will this help reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, but it will also create a rich soil amendment for your garden. Understandably, you may not be working with a garden, but composting has an assortment of benefits for your lawn, while saving money on other soil and lawn care products.