Sustainable food and drinks
Sustainable food and beverage means a clear "yes" to local and seasonal food! Support local organic food producers on site and thus reduce transport-related CO₂ emissions. When choosing beverage producers, also look for organic suppliers and companies that reinvest part of their revenue in sustainable projects. Drinking water in Germany is the cleanest food and therefore perfect for your guests, especially since you save on top packaging and transport.
All meat, fish or dairy products should be traceable and certified as local, organic or otherwise sustainable, e.g. MSC, WWF, Red Tractor, Soil Association. More and more people prefer vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Adapt your offer to this demand.
Make arrangements to collect and redistribute excess food. This can also be done by matching catering companies or working with a local food collection and redistribution organization.
Meat and dairy production are elementary contributors to global CO2 emissions. They are still often based on inhumane practices. Vegan or vegetarian food is a healthy and valuable alternative! It uses much less water, land and oil and produces less greenhouse gases. Sustainable food and beverages are an important part of sustainable events.
Only fair trade products
Buy only fair trade teas, coffees, sugar, chocolate and avoid palm oil products. Look for certified items, such as Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance.
Sustainable food, sustainable catering means no palm oil is used or it comes from ethical sources.
Buy consciously for your events and make your contribution to the fight against exploitation! Because these products are usually sourced from poorer countries and conflict zones. Palm oil production causes significant deforestation, biodiversity loss and negative social impacts worldwide.
Here's how your actions around sustainable food and beverage at events pay into the 17 SDGs:
- SDG1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Share items with friends. Give away or sell things you no longer need.
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere - SDG2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Buy regionally and seasonally.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger - SDG6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all - Save virtual water. Motivate your environment to drink water.
Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
- SDG8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Question the origin of your working materials.
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
8.4 By 2030, progressively improve global resource efficiency in consumption and production
and aim to decouple economic growth and environmental degradation, in line with the Ten-Year Program Framework on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, with developed countries taking the lead - SDG12: Ensuresustainable consumption and productionpatterns
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
12.2 By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources 12.3 By 2030, halve global food waste per capita at retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses occurring along the production and supply chain, including post-harvest losses
12.5 By 2030, significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse - SDG13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Reduce your carbon footprint.
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts - SDG14:Conserve and sustainably use theoceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce all forms of marine pollution, in particular from land-based activities and notably marine litter and nutrient pollution
14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate fishing activities and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and destructive fishing practices, and implement science-based management plans to restore fish stocks in the shortest possible time to at least levels that can produce the maximum sustainable yield, taking into account their biological characteristics. - SDG15: Protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss - Avoid products containing palm oil.
Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
Practical tips around sustainable catering
Sustainable catering in the event industry is becoming increasingly important as event organizers recognize the impact of food and beverage decisions on the environment and social standards. Choosing locally produced, sustainable organic food and beverages can have a positive impact on the environment and support local communities while saving money.
One of the main benefits of using sustainable catering practices is that it reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation. By sourcing sustainable food and beverages on-site, you as the event organizer can reduce transportation and associated carbon emissions. Choosing sustainable organic food and beverages can also reduce the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides that can have negative impacts on the environment and human health.
Sustainable food also has social benefits. By supporting local producers and suppliers, organizers can contribute to the local economy and support fair labor practices. Choosing ethically produced food and beverages can also advocate for humane treatment of animals and workers' rights.
In terms of cost savings, sustainable catering can be more cost-effective in the long run. While sustainable organic food and beverages may have higher initial costs, reduced transportation costs and the potential for reduced waste can lead to cost savings. In addition, the positive impact on the environment and social standards can have a positive impact on brand perception and customer loyalty, which can have a positive business impact.
Sourcing organic food also promotes biodiversity. Organic farms emphasize soil health and biodiversity by using natural fertilizers and avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This means that organic farms support diverse ecosystems and promote the health and well-being of wildlife.
Another way sustainable eating can save money is by reducing meat consumption. Meat production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and can be expensive. By providing more plant-based options, event organizers can reduce their carbon footprint and save money on expensive meat products.
In summary, sustainable catering is an important aspect of responsible event planning. By using locally produced, sustainable organic food and beverages, event organizers can reduce their impact on the environment, support local communities, and save money in the long run. In addition, sustainable catering practices can help raise social standards and promote positive environmental impacts, while reducing meat consumption can save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Examples of sustainable food and beverages at events
Green Events and Innovations Conference (London, UK)
This conference sources all food from sustainable sources and uses biodegradable tableware. This reduces waste and avoids negative impacts on the environment. Participants also appreciate the healthy and delicious food that contributes to their well-being.
Open Air St.Gallen (St. Gallen, Switzerland)
This music festival offers a 100% vegan catering offer made from local, seasonal and organic products. There is also a reuse station where visitors can drop off their own containers to avoid packaging waste. This has a positive impact on the environment and health for event organizers, while also saving money as vegan food is often cheaper than meat products.
Byron Bay Bluesfest (Byron Bay, Australia)
This music festival has committed to sourcing 80 percent of its food and drink from local sources and organic farming. Organizers also work closely with farmers and producers to ensure that all food is produced ethically and sustainably. This helps support the local economy and reduce the carbon emissions generated by transporting food.
GreenTech Festival (Berlin, Germany)
This technology and environmental festival offers visitors a wide range of plant-based and vegan dishes, all from organic and sustainable sources. In addition, organizers work closely with suppliers to ensure that the supply chain is as sustainable as possible. This shows visitors that sustainable choices can not only be good for the environment, but also delicious and healthy.
Festival Off d'Avignon (Avignon, France)
This theater festival offers a variety of organic foods and beverages, all from local suppliers. There is also a recycling station where visitors can separate and recycle their trash. By working with local producers and suppliers, the festival supports the local economy and promotes biodiversity in the region.
These examples show how sustainable catering in the event industry can help support the environment and society while being cost-effective.
Now it's your turn - how do you provide sustainable food and beverages at your event?
Let me know how you have implemented sustainable catering at your event or how you plan to do so.
- Do you buy organic food and beverages?
- Do you offer vegetarian and vegan meals?
- Do you rely on drinking water at events in Germany instead of water in plastic bottles?
- Do you collect and distribute catering leftovers from your event?
Discuss with me - for example directly on my LinkedIn profile.
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