Bean Counting and Earth Saving: How sustainability pays (literally)

             Operating a dining program in today’s economy is a high-wire act: balancing budget constraints with diners demanding Instagram-worthy, affordable, planet-saving plates. To lighten that load, there are a few ways that sustainability can save the day and the budget:

• Trash Talk - Food waste can put a drain on any budget, but there are a few ways to help keep operational costs lower than the demand for Great Aunt Edna’s fruitcake.  Simply removing dining trays reduced food waste at Rutgers University-New Brunswick by 20% and saved $300,000 in food costs within the first 10 weeks. (1) For a deep dive, food waste audits performed manually (yes, someone weighs the trash) or via a digital platform, offer insights to perfect portions and menu timing. While the process isn’t glamorous, the data is delicious.

• Bean There, Saved That – Plant-based menus can help you lean into the trend without the spend.  Incorporating plant-forward menu items offer both affordability and sustainability.  You might try thinking beyond the salad by highlighting blended protein options like a mushroom beef burger that combines finely chopped mushrooms with ground beef for burgers that are big on umami flavor but small on cost.  Looking for a lighter alternative?  Combining ground turkey with roasted cauliflower and buffalo sauce makes for a delectable meatball sub.

• Pixels for the Planet – Technology doesn’t have to be flashy to be a sustainability hero.  Utilizing digital signage at your dining locations can help you drive customer engagement while moving the needle on your sustainability effort.(2) In fact, it can be used to highlight the local farms behind your menu items (3), display your food waste metrics, provide quick menu updates, and share tips on sustainable eating practices.

     Looking for ways to help your sustainability program get growing? Click on the link below to get in contact with us.

1.      Alexander, A. (2014, December 15). Cafeteria Trays Dropped from Dining Halls at Rutgers to Reduce Waste. Rutgers University.                                                               

2.      Patterson, B. (2024, March 1). How Digital Signage Improves the Guest Experience. Evergreen.

3.      Pizana, N. (2024, December 16). 9 creative applications of digital signage in the restaurant industry. MTI Digital.