Tips for Restaurants to Reduce Losses From Food Spoilage

Food spoilage is an expensive problem for restaurants. In addition to losing the cost of the food, they lose the potential value of the menu offerings that it goes into. Here are some strategies that can help you reduce waste.

Store Food Strategically

It is imperative that restaurants store food at temperatures and humidity levels that are optimized to extend shelf life. Cold storage rooms and standalone freezers must have tight seals.

Using the right containers is another important way to reduce food spoilage. For most foods, using materials that create an airtight seal maximizes freshness. Vacuum sealing food can significantly prolong freshness because it removes all of the oxygen from a storage container.

Optimize Delivery Times

Your distributor should always be willing to work around your schedule. Establish a relationship with a distributing company that can make deliveries with as much or as little frequency as you need.

Plan Specials Smartly

When you are keeping an ongoing inventory of your food, you should keep an eye towards expiration dates. Excess stock of specific items that will be expiring soon are the best choices to offer as a special.

Lastly, make it a point to conduct an ongoing waste audit. A close analysis of which individual foods you have to discard most frequently can help you make strategic adjustments.