A sustainable approach to food wastage
From overstocked kitchens to unfinished plates, the restaurant and hospitality sector grapples with a food waste crisis that not only strains its bottom line but also takes a significant toll on our environment. Thankfully, several organisations have risen to the challenge of helping hospitality businesses tackle the unpalatable issue of food wastage head on. Through initiatives such as food rescue programs and offering educational resources, these organisations offer practical solutions that not only aim to minimise wastage but help businesses to foster a culture of conscientious resource management to help achieve a more sustainable future for the hospitality industry. Here's our pick of organisations that can help your business join the movement towards a more sustainable and responsible approach to food wastage.
Foodybag
From a concept that originated in Europe, Foody Bag is an app that aims to help companies reduce food waste by giving food service businesses a platform to sell surplus food to customers at a third of the regular price. The app has seen the likes of Mary Street Bakery, Baked 180, Maison Saint Honore amongst other famed Perth businesses offer customers perfectly consumable products that some consumers wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. How it works? At the end of the day, instead of tossing unsold products away, businesses can advertise mixed surprise bags onto the platform for customers to collect at a time set by the business. Be sure to head to the link or download the app to sign up to get started.
Second Bite
SecondBite has worked to rescue and redistribute fresh food from growers, manufacturers and retailers to agencies and programs fighting to solve food poverty and insecurity. Started by one couple, Ian and Simone Carson, who would gather up friends to visit market stalls in Melbourne to collect surplus food and take it to local charities that ran food programs, SecondBite today stands as one of Australia’s largest food rescue organisations operating in every state and territory. Their efforts seeing the likes of marginalised communities such as the homeless and refugees receiving access to nutritious food which would have otherwise destined for landfill.
OzHarvest
Starting in Perth late 2014, OzHarvest today salvages over 25,000kgs of surplus food from donors across Perth each week and in turn delivers around 80,000 meals a week to charities and disadvantaged communities across Perth in their iconic yellow van. With a mission to “Nourish our Country” by stopping good food going to waste, OzHarvest aims to also inspire and educate the wider community about food sustainability through programs targeted at school students, hospitality students and adults who generally wish to develop their awareness food sustainability. Oz Harvest is Australia’s leading food rescue organisation and is committed to halving food waste by 2030. Be sure to visit their website to see more of their impact and get involved.
Foodbank
As the largest food relief organisation in Australia, Foodbank plays a pivotal role in collecting surplus food and distributing to individuals and families facing hardship. Accepting food donations from farmers, manufacturers and retailers, Foodbank assist in tackling Australia’s food waste problem while also helping to fight hunger.
Foodbank believes everyone should have access to good quality food, and with support of the generous community, they work closely with frontline charities and many school breakfast programs to ensure to distribute food to the needy.
