Sustainability for the Restaurant Industry

Sustainability has become a popular movement in the name of earth preservation in the foodservice industry, but what does sustainability look like for your business? This all-encompassing term can be approached from a variety of angles, ranging from where your food is sourced to your kitchen equipment's efficient use of resources, or your packaging for to-go orders.

When you account for so many factors, creating a sustainable business operation can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin and what takes precedence? Complete sustainability won’t happen overnight, but as a restaurateur, you are making socially motivated decisions for the betterment of your community, planet, and yes – your restaurant, too! Here, we will detail some simple and effective things you can do today to increase your business’s sustainability.

How to Improve Sustainability For Operations of All Sizes

Whether you own a fine dining restaurant or a food truck, every restaurateur can make adjustments to reduce their kitchen’s waste and enhance eco-friendly operation techniques. From the equipment you use to where you source your foods, every action makes a difference.

Use Energy Efficient Kitchen Equipment

Investing in eco-friendly kitchen equipment is one of the most effective ways to see an immediate return on your sustainability efforts. Switching over to energy-saving kitchen products help the environment by reducing your kitchen’s water usage and increasing energy efficiency. Not only does energy-efficient technology reduce operation and maintenance costs, sustainable products can also reduce your restaurant's food waste, such as Cook & Hold Ovens featuring Halo Heat® technology.

Reduce Food Waste

Composting food scraps, donating leftover food to people in need, and keeping track of your food production-to-waste ratio are steps you can take to reduce food waste in your kitchen. Additionally, consider the following steps to decrease your kitchen waste:

1. Increase shelf life by dehydrating food. Foods that are about to go bad will be given another life using the dehydration method. Fruits and vegetables can easily be dehydrated using a Cook & Hold or Combi and set aside to use in dishes. This technique extends the food’s shelf life and reduces waste.
2. Increase shelf life by canning food. Preserved foods and be stocked and used later, significantly decreasing the food waste in your kitchen. With their energy-efficient design, Cook & Hold ovens will increase your kitchen’s efficacy using a ventless and waterless oven design.

Choose Committed Supply Partner

Before you commit to equipment, we recommend researching the manufacturer’s mindset on sustainability practices in foodservice technology. To stay competitive, sustainability trends dictate that manufacturers update their technology to include eco-conscious practices, which can result in products that have not been adequately put to the test. Partner with a manufacturer who builds their equipment with a commitment to earth-friendly practices and sustainability.

Alto-Shaam has been committed to green practices since the early 1960s, beginning with our innovative Halo Heat® technology. As your partner in enhancing your business’s growth, we’re here to offer professional expertise in creating the ideal sustainable kitchen of your dreams. Contact us with your sustainability questions.