At 15Hatfields, we recognise that preventative strategies are necessary at all stages where food waste can occur - from food preparation and spoilage, to what's left on the plate.
Following our accreditation as the UK's first Platinum ECOsmart Venue, we were invited to join the Greengage Platinum Inner Circle, a group of representatives from the most sustainable events venues in the UK. The group, including 15Hatfields' Deputy General Manager, Joe Harris, have compiled eight best practice steps for preventing food wastage.
Setting an achievable target is a great way to get teams off the start line. By starting with realistic goals, venues can set more ambitious targets as they monitor progress.
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) developed a waste data capture sheet in response to the £3.2 billion of food wasted each year by the hospitality and food sector. The sheet enables venues to prioritise areas for improvement by identifying where in the process chain most food is wasted.
Encouraging a culture of participation and openness empowers staff to lead by example, ensuring strategies to reduce food waste are implemented at all stages, challenges are responded to thoughtfully, and solutions are shared as a team.
Placing new items at the back of storage facilities and regularly checking stock ensures that venues are only buying what is needed. Purchasing food locally, where possible, also reduces the chance of spoilage as produce has spent less time in storage and transit.
Assessing client needs is essential to producing a smaller, tailored menu rather than offering lots of variations. Zero-waste dishes that incorporate ingredients that are often wasted like stalks and stems can be introduced. Seasonal menus also make the most of ingredients while they are in abundance and can be locally sourced. We work with event catering specialists Eden Caterers to provide dishes that champion local and seasonal produce.
One of the main causes of food waste in the events industry is the phenomenon of over catering. Rather than serving everything at once, some food should be held in reserve for those that would like more, as unconsumed food that has already been served becomes harder to repurpose for food hygiene and safety reasons.
Clearly communicating the benefits of a waste reduction strategy is vital to ensuring clients and event delegates understand and support your choices on the day. At 15Hatfields, we aim to inspire our clients and include them in our mission to ensure a sustainable future for events.
Food leftovers should be sent to a recycling plant rather than landfill, as decomposing food releases harmful greenhouse gases such as methane. To avoid carbon being released in transit, venues can purchase in-house food composters and compactors which convert leftover food into a liquid that can be used to create renewable energy.
Explore the sustainable food and beverage event catering options available at 15Hatfields, including Toast Ale which is produced from surplus bread.