The food sector produces hundreds of thousand tonnes of food waste every year. But the thing is, that much waste can be avoided. If you own a restaurant, a cafe, or any establishment that serves a huge amount of food each day, then you should learn to reduce organic waste. This will not only help the environment, but it can also help you save more money in the long run.
Avoid Over Purchasing Of Stocks
One of the common mistakes of many restaurant managers is that they feel like they have the need to hoard stocks. Yes, it can be tempting to stock up or to buy in bulk if you are getting a good deal from your supplier. However, you will end up with more stocks that your restaurant does not really need. And in the end, this extra food will only go to waste.
Store Food Correctly
If you need to stock up, it is important that you know how to store your food correctly. So make sure that your refrigerators and freezers are at the right temperature all the time. The correct temperatures will preserve the quality of your food by preventing any bacterial growth which can lead to food waste. You also have to make sure that any low-risk foods are stored on the higher shelves. You also need to keep the food storage clean.
Learn Stock Rotation
Like many businesses, also practice “First In, First Out” or FIFO. For example, if you are adding more products to your display, make sure that the older ones are in the front and the newer ones are at the back. You have to make sure that the older stocks are placed in an area where customers can easily reach them and the newer ones at the back rows. This way, you can avoid food waste.
Practice Food/Stocks Labeling
What method are you doing to ensure that you are using or displaying the food or stocks that need to be disposed first? If you label them, it would be easier for you to determine which ones need to be used first. Also, if you label your stocks, you can prevent food waste by throwing them away because you are not sure if they are still safe to use or not.
Keep Your Stock Inventory Updated
It is important that you assign someone in your company to do stock inventory updates if you cannot do it on your own. A detailed list of the food in your storage areas as well as the use-by or best-before dates are very important. This way, you can avoid forgetting food and stocks and make them go to waste.
Reducing food waste will not only help you and your company, but the environment as well. So if you are running a food business, take some time to learn the tips mentioned above to ensure that nothing goes to waste.
