Welcome one and all to this ultimate guide to sustainable event catering. It’s been a long road, but finally, more and more of us are beginning to take sustainability seriously. 

Nobody is asking you to radically overhaul your catering methods. However, just a couple of minor changes can go a long way. 

To help you make some minor changes, we’ve put together some actionable tips below. We hope you enjoy it and good luck! 

#1. Go Local 

You can start by sourcing from local producers. The closer your event, the less Co2 burned to transport your goods. It’s as simple as that. 

As well as being a sustainable practice, it’s also fashionable. ‘Locally sourced’ is a hot phrase that caterers and restaurateurs are very keen to advertise when they can. 

For more information on eating locally, check out this guide on how to live like a locavore! 

#2. Go Seasonal 

Growing and transporting food so that it is constantly available even out of season causes a tragic amount of damage to the environment. 

Eating seasonal food means you’re eating fresher ingredients, which means they taste better. It’s also going to be cheaper too. 

And plus, just like locally sourced foods, seasonal menus are very fashionable. So not only will your seasonal menu help save the environment, it will impress the foodies amongst your attendees. 

#3. Go Vegan 

A 2018 Oxford University study found that the single most significant way to reduce your carbon footprint is to avoid animal products. Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions, more than all transportation emissions combined.

That’s why going vegan is the ultimate play when it comes to being sustainable. The good thing is veganism isn’t the niche thing it used to be. In America alone, there’s been a 500% increase in the number of vegans since 2014. 

And if you’re not comfortable going vegan, you can still make a difference. You can go vegetarian, or perhaps make some plant-based substitutions here and there where appropriate. Even having a vegan alternative for guests to choose from is a big step! 

#4. Provide Doggy Bags 

This is a win-win – many people – particularly if the food is good – like to take some home. Everyone loves a freebie, after all. 

It’s damage limitation effectively. It means you’re throwing less away. And as a bonus idea, why not package it in a branded reusable bag. So long after they’ve enjoyed their leftovers, they’re advertising your brand when they’re out and about. 

#5. Reduce Your Food Waste 

A shocking 4 tonnes of food ends up in a landfill each year. One in five of our shopping bags end up in the bin to put that into a subjective perspective. In monetary terms, that’s $3,400 worth of groceries per household each year.

So if you anticipate having food left, you should arrange to donate it to a local charity if the local authority allows it. 

However, the key to reducing your food waste first and foremost is having a food waste bin. But that’s just the beginning. Check out these 6 tips to start making a zero-waste event to master this essential call! 

#6. Computerise Your Activities 

Going paperless is very doable nowadays. If your guests have to choose which course they will have, you can send them an e-questionnaire before the event. If they need to order food or drinks during the frivolities, your staff can do it on a tablet. 

As for your event planning, you are much better at doing it on event planning software anyway instead of moving around with stacked binders. And finally, if you need to use paper, always opt for the reusable stuff! 

#7. Think Reusable 

Using reusable materials when organising your catering can sometimes be more hassle and even more expensive. However, the effort will pay dividends for your carbon footprint. 

  • There are several ways you can go about this. Provide condiments – sauces, sugars, etc. – in reusable ramekins or dishes for starters. 
  • Try to use hard cutlery and plates when you can. They can be washed and used again. Alternatively, if you’re using disposable utensils, make sure they’re recyclable! 
  • The same goes for napkins and tablecloths. If they can’t be washed and used again, spend more money on recyclable options. 

Sadly, however, not everything can be reusable or recyclable. But a lot can be. So with some care and time, there is a lot of sustainability to be achieved! 

#8. Grow Your Own 

This tip is ambitious. But it’s not impossible, and it’s highly rewarding. Yes, nothing is stopping you from growing your own food! It will reduce your costs as well as be eco-friendly. It is also a really cool caveat to offer your attendees – exclusively grown food makes for an exclusive experience, after all! 

#9. Control Food Portions 

At face value, this might seem like a miserly thing to do. But from experience, you’ll know yourself the amount of plated food that goes uneaten is outrageous. So think hard about your portion sizes, and you can really increase the sustainability of your catering service. 

This doesn’t mean that people have to go hungry. If you’re pursuing a portion controlling agenda, you can always reserve the option for attendees to help themselves with more food if they’re still hungry. 

#10. Stick With Tap

Tap water is infinitely more eco-friendly than bottled water. If you’re serious about being more sustainable, then you have to go with a tap. 

If you’re concerned about the water quality for your guests, you can always invest in a water filter. Your guests will find it impressive, trust us! 

#11. Train Your Staff in Sustainable Practices 

And finally, whichever of the above options you choose to implement, the last step is to make sure your staff are aware of them. 

It might seem obvious, but if you overlook training your staff on your sustainability efforts, it could lead to perfectly reusable goods or food going in the general trash bin or worse! 

Wrapping up 

So there you have it, the ultimate guide to sustainable event catering. And that’s just one part of event planning, remember. To learn more, read up on this all-encompassing guide on how to host an eco-friendly event!