When you work with food in the catering, restaurant, or grocery business, you know that food waste can be a big problem. It is truly mind-boggling how much food goes to waste.
Case in point, in the few minutes it will take you to read this blog, over 15,000 tons of food will be produced in America. But -- almost five thousand tons -- or about one third of that -- will be thrown away.
What can be done about all that waste? Frankly, a lot, according to Jacquie Bols, owner operator of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering.
“A big part of my intention in operating Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering is to be all about sustainable food production -- and utilization. Sustainability means much more than buying from responsible local farmers. It is also about greater attention to being non-wasteful, holistic, creative, resourceful, and more responsible in finding ways of creating, preparing and consuming food.
“We think proactively about creating every entrée and side dish. We ask ourselves how we can use every part of the cut of meat, and every bit of the produce we harvest for the event. But we also use foods such as vegetables in more complete ways. For instance, we buy locally grown organic vegetables in season whenever possible. We don’t throw away odds and ends of herbs and fresh vegetables as we prepare meals. Instead we freeze them for future use in soups and sauces.”
“Knowing it’s impossible to use everything, our staff also seeks sustainable uses for the food waste we do generate. Composting is one such way. Feeding our Finley Creek Vineyard chickens is another.”
Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering also actively seeks biodegradable and renewable packaging whenever possible.
“Cutting down on food waste at the catering events themselves is also a priority,” adds Jacquie. “It can mean lower costs to our customers in addition to doing our part for a healthier, greener planet.”
At Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, we keep our mission front and center with everything we do. It’s important to us. And we know from your feedback, it’s important to our customers as well.