One of the most pressing societal challenges is food waste. According to the United Nations, approximately one-third of the food produced globally for human consumption every year gets lost or wasted. This represents a massive economic loss and a waste of the resources used in producing, processing and transporting the food and negatively impacts climate change.

Food waste is not just about the dollars lost; its implications are much deeper, affecting our environment on multiple levels. It's a primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, overuse of freshwater resources, and land degradation - problems that can’t be ignored.

As we recognize Stop Food Waste Day, here are a few simple steps foodservice operators can follow to reduce food waste.

Conduct a Waste Audit

To fight food waste, it’s imperative to understand the volume and type of waste being produced. Conducting a thorough waste audit and collecting data can help formulate focused waste reduction strategies. Waste reduction is not a one-time effort, but a continuous process. Regularly reviewing and updating your strategies can ensure they remain effective and relevant.

Rightsize Portions

By simply adjusting portion sizes, foodservice operators can reduce the amount of edible food that ends up in the trash. If a portion is too large, customers often leave behind a large amount of uneaten food on their plates. Rightsizing portions not only minimizes this wasteful practice but also helps customers maintain a balanced diet, creating a win-win for everyone involved.

Donate Extra Food to Local Organizations

Rather than allowing perfectly good food to be thrown away, a socially and environmentally responsible solution is to donate that surplus to local organizations that can distribute it to those in need. Forming partnerships with non-profit organizations, food banks, shelters, and community kitchens enables the surplus food to be redirected to feed anyone facing food insecurity. Not only does donating surplus food to local organizations prevent food waste, but it provides nutritious meals to those who might otherwise go hungry.

Embrace Smart and Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Innovative food packaging plays a pivotal role in preventing waste. Well-designed and high-quality food packaging can protect the food from damage during transportation, extend its shelf life and maintain its quality and safety. By doing so, it can be a powerful tool in reducing the amount of wasted food.

For example, compartmented food packaging can diminish food waste by helping to preserve food integrity, reduce food migration, and limit the need to use multiple containers for takeout orders.

While the packaging industry has relied heavily on nonrenewable materials in the past to deliver the performance required to minimize food waste, there is growing awareness and a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges associated with food packaging. Sustainable food packaging, made from renewable, compostable, or recyclable materials, can balance the need to protect food quality while minimizing the environmental footprint.

To learn more about approaches to sustainable food packaging, download the Spring into Sustainability guide.