The money behind your food waste

Do you know your business case for managing food waste? According to a recent report from the World Research Institute and the Waste and Resources Action Programme, restaurants can earn $7 for every dollar they spend on food waste management. AgFunder reports that the research behind the study assessed the food waste management practices of more than 100 restaurants in 12 countries, including restaurants ranging from international quick-service brands to upscale, sit-down restaurants. The participating restaurants tried a “target, measure, act” approach to food waste, which involved measuring the food being wasted to identify the biggest pain points, then engaging staff, reassessing inventory and purchasing practices, reducing overproduction and repurposing excess food. Participating restaurants reduced food waste by 26 percent on average, and more than 75 percent of the restaurants had earned back the investment they made to cut food waste in the first year alone.