Barry Fraser is a food service veteran who started in Kitchens at the age of 14, Barry has a background as a papered chef and has 14 years of experience as a Disposable product specialist at Gordon Food Service.Passionate about the environment he strives to make a difference with every customer he interacts with and hopes our country will build a proper compost program from coast to coast.
Navigating Sustainable Packaging Choices for Food Service Operators
Food service operators have some unique challenges when it comes to choosing how to present their food when considering their take-out program, there are so many choices! They may think they have it all figured out when other needs come into focus- Sustainable, Biodegradable, Compostable! What do they all mean, how will my food taste, what should I consider changing and what does it cost?
Sustainable packaging can mean so many things and can often be mistakenly used in place of words like compostable when they aren’t the same thing. While simply being sustainable is a great start, using a container that has 40 percent less plastic but can’t be composted or recycled may not be the best choice, when there are others to consider that can be diverted from a landfill. It’s best to look at the product from start to finish, where the raw materials come from, how it can be processed and ultimately the end of life cycle- where it ends up and whether it will harm the environment.
It’s best to look at the product from start to finish, where the raw materials come from, how it can be processed and ultimately the end of life cycle- where it ends up and whether it will harm the environment
It’s wise to choose products from suppliers and vendors that have done their homework and can confidently back up their claims of sustainability, not just the products but look at the company as well, what are their views on stewardship and the carbon footprint of bringing the product to market?
When choosing take-out packaging, look for one that takes the guesswork out of what the product does from beginning to end and has clear labeling for recyclable, compostable and reusable items. The messaging on the product should leave no question about the product and its journey through sustainability. As an example a clear plastic cup and a clear compostable cup look identical to a waste sorting plant, so consider a green stripe or compostable message to take out the guesswork and ensure it goes where it needs to.If you are customizing your products, be proud to show your efforts for sustainability by referring to it on your packaging- the end users do notice these things! If it makes sense to your style of business, consider serving in reusable containers, this practice is gaining in popularity and is a great environmental choice.
Foodservice operators have some tough choices to remain profitable when prices constantly increase on all fronts. With packaging do they choose something because it’s cheap? Or do they see the value in something compostable which helps the environment and can often enhance the quality of their food giving a better experience to their customers? With hot food for takeout I often have customers test their hot food in each container, let it sit for 15 minutes and experience it like their customers would and give an honest review, is it hot and crispy or cold and soggy? Often the cheaper containers produce the poorest eating experience. It may save you money, but cost you dearly when you don’t get that repeat business.
Sustainability may be confusing, difficult and have lots of moving parts, but doing your research and finding a valuable business partner that can help provide proper solutions can be one of the best decisions you can make for your business and our Earth.
