4 Ways to Make Your Restaurant More Sustainable
Sustainability is essential
in today’s foodservice industry. This is because the restaurant industry is facing sustainability challenges from various angles. From environmental concerns to food cost pressures, restaurants need to make changes if they want to continue serving their customers for years to come.
If your restaurant wants to make the most of its limited resources, consider implementing these three sustainable practices. They will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save money, but they’ll also strengthen your operations and build customer loyalty.
Use Seasonal and Local Produce
The first sustainable practice is to use seasonal and local produce. Seasonal produce is grown in the same climate as your restaurant, while locally sourced produce is grown at a relatively close distance to your restaurant. A majority of Americans want their restaurants to serve local produce, according to a recent survey by FreshDirect. Seasonal and local produce tastes better because it’s fresher, but it can also help reduce food costs by 30 percent or more.
Serve More Vegan and Vegetarian Options
Serve more vegan and vegetarian options. There has been an increased demand for meatless food items in recent years. And while it’s true that restaurants have long offered dishes without meat, the trend toward veggie-centric menus is a new one.
One reason for this is that plant-based options are healthier. More and more people are trying to avoid animal proteins high in cholesterol and saturated fats and avoid antibiotics used on livestock. For these reasons, many people turn to vegan or vegetarian dishes when they eat out.
Echoing these trends is that flexitarianism or semi-vegetarianism is on the rise – an increasing number of Americans don’t want to give up their steak but are cutting down on their red meat intake. For restaurants, this means that offering more plant-based options will help keep customers satisfied and may even attract new diners who’ve been hesitant to try your restaurant because of its meat focus.
Use An Online Ordering System
One of the most sustainable changes your restaurant can make is to embrace an online ordering system. Whether you are offering local delivery or in-house ordering via a QR code, a restaurant ordering system can help you be more sustainable during operations. An online ordering system will allow your restaurant to reduce its paper usage, save money on printing and delivery costs, and increase customer loyalty.
Use Reclaimed Furniture
Reclaimed furniture is an excellent way to make your restaurant more sustainable . This type of furniture is made from items that have been reclaimed and typically meant for demolition, like old doors and windows.
Instead of buying new furniture, you can purchase reclaimed furniture from a salvage warehouse or interior decorator. You’ll be surprised at the variety of unique pieces available to you. Plus, reclaimed furniture is less expensive than new furniture!
As you might imagine, using eco-friendly furnishings will help reduce your carbon footprint, but it will also save you money in the long run. You can use reclaimed wood for tables and chairs without worrying about replacing them every few years–plus, it will give your restaurant an authentic feel.
