Home
BANNER

6 ways to reduce food waste in hospitality business

We are all increasingly aware of the challenge to feed a rising world population.

But did you know that one third of the food produced for human consumption is either lost or wasted every year, equivalent to about 1,300 million tons a year1?

The environmental cost of this is big and includes the water used in crops, fertilizers and fuels used in production and transport, not forgetting the greenhouse gases emitted when that food decomposes in landfills. And that’s without taking into account the money we spend on food that we never consume! So here are some tips to help reduce the waste of food in your catering business to the maximum:

  • Plan your purchases: Plan in advance the menus and dishes of the week, taking into consideration all the ingredients you will need and buying only the ones you are going to use.
  • Prepare an inventory on perishable products, sort them by their expiration date and apply the "first in, first out" rule.
  • Store the food in a suitable place: Keeping food at the right temperature can increase its shelf life. There are a number of websites including Heart.org which give you more information as to where to store fruits and vegetables so that they last longer. And once you have separated the foods that  are stored in the refrigerator, do some online research around where in the refrigerator it is best to put them. This will also serve to extend the expiration of your fresh products.
  • Portion control: By controlling the amount of food on the plate, you not only limit the number of calories but also the amount of food that will end up in the trash.
  • Donate what you do not eat: If you realize that you still have too much food, give it to a neighbor, a relative or a food bank.
  • To help reduce food waste, write down what you throw away each week. You will be surprised to see how much it is and you will be able to detect excessive buying patterns.

By doing all this you will end up saving money and contribute positively in fight against food waste.

Source: 1This figure comes from a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Recent Articles

  • Chef's hat

    3 Powerful Ways to Honor Your Chefs

    We’re constantly sharing strategies for celebrating your diners. When was the last time you celebrated the hands behind the plates? This month, let’s shift focus from delighting diners to celebrating the culinary talent that makes it all possible. The strategies you’re about to see deliver remarkable retention results. How? By recognizing what truly motivates culinary professionals. 

  • Cutting mushrooms

    Menu of Masters 2025: The Series Revealing MENA's Most Guarded Culinary Secrets

    The Middle East is a melting pot of flavors, where ancient spice routes meet modern culinary innovation. If you haven’t indulged in our latest Menu of Masters series yet, pick a spoon, you’re in for a flavorful ride!

  • BANNER

    6 ways to boost your alertness while fasting during Ramadan

    Wake up and coffee is the first thing you think about. The smell, the taste and the energy is something you look forward to daily. For most people, coffee is the real wake-up call, and nothing says “good morning”, like a good cup of coffee. 

  • Crafting an Impressive Chef Portfolio with Nestlé Professional

    How to create an impressive chef portfolio

    Cooking is a practical skill and one that is difficult to do justice to in a purely written document. The culinary portfolio is the perfect supplement to a CV –where the CV details the skills, experience and qualifications of a career, the chef portfolio provides some practical demonstration and visual stimulation. Together, the two provide a powerful combination for the next steps in a career. So, how do you create one?

  • Traditional Flavors

    This Fall, Capture Diners with MAGGI® Professional Khaleeji Seasoning!

    Here's what your competitors don't understand: Middle Eastern diners crave authenticity year-round, not just during celebrations. As fall arrives and soup orders surge, it's the perfect time to remember that traditional flavors know no bounds. MAGGI® Professional Khaleeji Seasoning brings the same depth to seasonal soups as it does to celebratory mandi and kabsa.

  • Authentic Flavors

    Celebrate Flavors of the Gulf In Your Menu With The MAGGI Khaleeji Seasoning

    National celebrations are approaching across the Gulf, and with them, the surge in demand for authentic khaleeji cuisine. Whether it's Saudi's National Day or any festive occasion throughout MENA, MAGGI® Professional Khaleeji Seasoning ensures your menu delivers the time-honored flavors that define Gulf hospitality.