Food Waste Control and Solutions for the MN Certified Food Manager
In any food production facility, whether it be a restaurant, industrial production factory or institutional facility, waste is always an issue of concern. Food waste can eat into company profits, take away from other budgeted expenses and increase waste disposal costs. A recent article entitled “Reducing Food Waste Can Improve the Bottom Line and the Environment.” brings up some interesting points concerning this issue.
Where Food Waste Comes From
It is usually not difficult to realize that you are wasting food product. You may notice fuller garbage cans and increased food spoilage in storage areas. It is important to discover exactly where your waste is coming from. Here are a few common causes of food waste.
- Over production of prepared foods
- Ordering more product than is needed
- Preparation mistakes
- Lack of controlled preparation methods
As a MN certified food manager, keeping close tabs of how much food product is order and what you need to prepare will go a long way towards reducing waste. Another key in keeping food waste in check is to have strict standards and procedures when it comes to production. Employees who are unsure of what ingredients need to be assembled, how much of any given food product they need and how to put them all together will generate waste of extra ingredients and over-produced product. A controlled set of procedures will ensure that everything that is produced is consistent and waste free.
What Should We Do With Our Waste?
Even under strict control, waste in the food industry is inevitable. The article we referenced earlier has some creative and useful ways to deal with waste.
- Donate excess prepared product to charities that feed the needy in your community
- Reach out to farmers who purchase food waste for animal feed and natural compost
- Sell used grease and oil to producers of bio-fuels
The last place we want our waste to end up is in a land fill. With some careful planning and creative thinking we can not only reduce our waste, but in some cases generate income from it.
