In the food industry, it is becoming increasingly important to build awareness of environmental issues and sustainable practices. Sustainability is all the more important when large quantities of food are prepared and served every day. The advantage is that more and more trends and innovations are being developed nowadays that also lead to sustainable action in communal catering. Sustainability starts with the purchase of food and extends far beyond that.

Plan regional and seasonal purchasing

Seasonal dishes in communal catering are also increasingly appreciated by customers, as they bring the delicacies of the seasons to the plate. By buying regionally, you not only support a smaller carbon footprint but also help local farmers. Additionally, shorter delivery routes mean better quality and fresher food.

Good planning reduces food waste

Everyone has experienced throwing food away or into the compost bin. While it’s often clear how to avoid this in private settings, communal catering involves processing larger quantities of food, where poor planning can lead to more waste. With the right strategies—such as improved inventory management, smart portioning, and creative use of leftovers—facilities can significantly reduce food waste.

Vegan & vegetarian as trendsetters

An increasing number of people are adopting vegan or at least meatless vegetarian diets. In this case, it is worth focusing on a diverse range of options for communal catering that appeals to all types of eaters and brings variety to the menu, even for meat eaters. A plant-based diet can also conserve land and water and expand the range of delicious dishes on offer.

Using sustainable packaging materials

Sustainability plays a greater role in packaging materials today than it did a few years ago. The materials should be environmentally friendly, biodegradable or recyclable. Recyclable paper containers, modern plastic that can be put in the organic waste garbage can or compost and, of course, containers that can be used more often are at the top of the list for consumers and companies. Thanks to providers such as Relevo, it is also easy to switch to smart reusable solutions, helping to reduce packaging waste and minimize environmental impact

Conserve resources and use energy more efficiently

Electrical appliances that do not run on standby and consume less energy are part of modern communal catering facilities. Systems that optimize heating, ventilation and air conditioning also ensure lower power consumption. Saving water is also becoming increasingly important these days, as this resource is also not available in unlimited quantities. Additionally, these measures can lead to long-term cost savings. Thus, it represents a win-win situation for both the environment and businesses.

Sustainability can therefore be incorporated into communal catering. Although a changeover initially involves additional work, once the system of sustainability has become established, for example with regional suppliers, it is possible to work in a cost-cutting and customer-friendly way in the long term. Every company should minimize its ecological footprint, and if this extra work is also appreciated and preferred by customers and consumers, we all benefit from it.