Reducing menu options can help cafes maximise profits and reduce food waste.
An End Food Waste Australia study found difficulty finding time to plan and streamline menus and overproducing food was a key driver of waste and reduced profits in the nation’s cafes.
Lead researcher Professor Tania Lewis, of RMIT University, said Australia had the world’s largest cafe industry, per capita, outside of Europe, and the hospitality sector was responsible for more than 16 percent of the nation’s food waste.
Professor Lewis said food preparation and spoilage were the biggest culprits when it came to both food and financial waste in cafe kitchens.
“Up to 60 percent of an average cafe’s bin is filled with food and we’re not just talking about peels and stems – it’s also edible, quality food.
“But cafes with paired back, seasonal menus waste less food and save more money.”
“Our research found successful low-waste cafes worked closely with their suppliers and adapted the menu to use in-season ingredients,” she said.
Professor Lewis said fewer menu offerings made stock control easier, as did allowing ingredient substitution for meal components, like seasonal pesto, chutney or jams.
“Cafes have small profit margins, so they really stand to win in a big way by reducing waste.
“For instance, using more of the produce they are buying – broccoli stems are just as delicious as broccoli tops.”
She said researchers found businesses could reduce food waste and costs by teaching staff skills like reducing food trim and preservation processes like pickling, freezing and dehydrating.
Buying aesthetically imperfect produce directly from farmers could also be a major cost saver.
“When it comes to food, looks aren’t everything and certainly are not a guarantee of flavour,” Lewis said.
“With their cooking knowledge, cafes are in a great position to lead the way in making delicious food from less-than-perfect produce.”
She said other recommendations included reducing plate and portion size and encouraging customers to take home unfinished food.
Download the report: Cafe Sector Action Plan Report 2024
