By Lorenza Zebell
Q: Do you have any recommendations/suggestions for more sustainable catering options?
A: If your office is interested in more sustainable food for your events, I have a few suggestions for you. It’s best practice to prioritize plant-based caterers using locally sourced seasonal ingredients, reduce food waste by only ordering what you need, and learn about how to properly dispose of the containers it comes in.
Choosing plant-based options will reduce emissions associated with food more than anything else. If choosing between prioritizing plant-based food or more sustainable containers, the food itself is more important. People who follow a plant-based diet account for 75 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than those who eat more than 3.5 ounces of meat a day, according to new research from the University of Oxford. You can check out Project Drawdown’s info on plant-rich foods if you’re interested in learning more about their emissions impact.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, our landfills consist of 14.5% food that would be traditionally edible, and 6% “food scraps” (like peels). This makes food the largest component of our waste stream. Preventing food waste saves resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA estimates that wasted food is responsible for 58% of landfill methane emissions to the atmosphere. Prevent food waste by ordering only what you need, donating what you can’t use to local organizations like the River Food Pantry, and composting what’s left.
When it comes to packaging the food comes in, “compostable” and “biodegradable” packaging can be tricky because it usually ends up in landfills. There are few places that can process compostable packaging locally, like GreenBox. I’m a fan of aluminum catering trays which can be washed and recycled. And although plastic is best avoided, many plastic trays and containers are recyclable if cleaned. All numbers (#1-#7) of plastic containers are recyclable in Madison.
As far as specific locations I recommend, I like Just Veggiez, a black-owned 100% vegan caterer in town. I also like Banzo for its tasty plant-based options. Last but not least, the cafe HodgePodge has an exceptional zero-waste catering program. They are Sustain Dane members, and we use their service anytime we need coffee or light cafe-style snacks. They really go above and beyond to make their service as low waste as possible.
If you have any questions about your catering plans or how to dispose of containers that your catering comes in, send them my way!
—Lorenza