Planning for Event Catering Food Waste
The caterers are packing up, organizers are starting to pack up, venue staff are haunting the edges of the room to make sure you clear out on time so they can reset for the next event. And you’re still trying to balance all of that with emceeing and being a good host, ensuring a positive attendee experience, while keeping the program on schedule.
The leftovers conundrum in event catering
At that point, the Dumpster becomes an appealing solution for untouched side salads, wrap sandwiches, and dinner rolls– in the interest of time and convenience.
In landfill, that food will decompose in an oxygen-poor environment, releasing methane– one of the worst greenhouse gases exacerbating the climate crisis.
The end of the event is the worst time to figure out a solution for leftover food.
Save time and our planet by planning your leftover event catering solution from the very beginning.
Include food waste in your catering plan
As soon as you decide to serve food at our event, the question of what to do with leftovers should be part of your planning.
You will need two pathways in place:
Food rescue, for items that can be safely repackaged and transported; and
Composting, for dishes that can’t be redistributed.
Your food service partners will have the expertise to help you plan the dishes, ingredients, quantities, serving and storage requirements to prevent as much waste as possible up front.
Work with a caterer who already has an established relationship with a soup kitchen or food rescue organization. Design the menu to include dishes and ingredients that can easily be repackaged or remade into meals that will travel well.
If you must use a caterer who doesn’t already have a food rescue partner, contact a soup kitchen or food rescue group directly, to learn about their requirements and recommendations before you plan the menu.
In Connecticut, seek out the soup kitchens nearest to your event venue, or contact Haven’s Harvest.
For the rest, compost leftovers for healthy garden soil
The venue and/or your food vendor may also already have a working relationship with a composting facility. If not, research a nearby service that will accept leftover food to learn about their requirements.
Make food waste a key part of your event planning
Committing to food rescue from the very beginning will save time and money, and ensure that every step along the way, from field to plate, ends its journey as a delicious meal and not as a glacier-melting cloud of fumes. You'll leave your attendees raving about the menu, and feeling good, knowing any leftovers will make a positive impact right in the local community.
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