Whether you’re catering a big celebration or hosting an intimate dinner, doing so with sustainability in mind ensures your event doesn't have a negative impact on the planet. You’ll need to prepare ahead of time to ensure each detail is taken care of, from the sourcing of your ingredients to the serving of your dishes and the disposal of any waste at the end of the night. But what exactly do each of these steps involve? Here, we share three top tips to help you cater sustainably.
Source local and seasonal ingredients
Local, seasonal ingredients come with a lower carbon footprint than imported goods or those that have been subjected to forced growth, such as produce grown in heated greenhouses. Any opportunity to limit transport use or excessive energy consumption will go a long way in making your food offering more sustainable.
To further boost your service’s eco credentials, try to offer plant-based menu options where possible, as these dishes will have a lower environmental impact than meat dishes. With one in four Americans following a flexitarian diet (eating meat on an occasional basis) this will appeal to sustainability-conscious diners.
Choose sustainable dinnerware
When looking for sustainable dinnerware, consider bamboo fiber products. Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows faster than wood (helping to reduce deforestation), regenerates without needing to be replanted, and requires fewer chemicals for processing. It’s an eco-friendly choice for your plates, boards, trays, and even your cutlery.
In addition to the sustainability benefits, bamboo dinnerware is cost-effective and known for its strength, durability and ability to resist oil and liquids. Consider bamboo fiber clamshells to transport heavy dishes at catering events.
Minimize waste
Once guests have finished up their food, you need to dispose of any waste sustainably. Of course, the best way to reduce your impact is to minimize waste altogether, by ordering only as much food as you need before the event.
Credit to TomCook Photos - Taste of Equity 2024
By avoiding single-use plastics and using dinnerware made from sustainable materials, you can prevent toxic materials from ending up in landfill. Where possible, borrow or rent any additional equipment you need, and opt for reusable products like cloths instead of paper towels.
Sustainable catering that makes a meaningful impact
Want to take it one step further? As a sustainable caterer, you have the power to educate and equip others with the knowledge they need to make more eco-friendly food choices. Whether you’re catering for regular customers, the increasing number of food tourists passing through, or a one-off client hosting a big event, you have the opportunity to make an impact on both people and the planet.
When discussing your services, remember to share your commitment to sustainability and talk to your prospective customers about how you can make their event both unforgettable and planet-friendly. The more open you are about where your food comes from, the materials you use, and how you minimize and dispose of waste, the more you’ll begin to build trust and gain repeat customers who come back for more.
Credit to TomCook Photos - Taste of Equity 2024