Prevent Food Waste

Chefs preparing vegetables
Engage Your Kitchen Staff Ensure that your kitchen staff is up to date on the changes that you are making to reduce food waste and watch out for opportunities to refresh food prep practices to save every scrap.
Conduct your Own Waste Audit Use this guidance document from the EPA to measure and understand your food waste reduction without additional technology. By understanding your food waste, you can target problem spots in your operations and save money by reducing food waste. You can also use EPA’s food waste tracking table to document loss over time.
Men in produce warehouse
Measure Your Food Waste Take “snapshots” of your businesses food waste production with food waste audits. Use the guide below for a quick and easy approach, or read about innovative technologies to track food waste in real time under “Additional Resources”.

Explore Food Waste Tracking Technologies

LeanPath, Phood, and Winnow are three organizations which provide technology that captures weights and food types of food loss before it goes to the trash to help you lift the curtain on food waste reduction.

EPA Food Recovery Challenge

Join the national effort to reduce food waste and track your food waste reduction over time with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Challenge.

Manufacturer and Wholesaler, and Distributor’s Data Driven Food Loss Reduction Guide

This free e-book by food waste reduction organization, Spoiler Alert, is designed to help food distributors, retailers, and manufacturers use data to identify food loss in their operations and maximize return on investment for food waste prevention efforts.

Plan Zero Waste Events

Using SWACO’s Zero Waste Event Guide, learn what steps you can take to make school events and gatherings Zero-Waste.

Donate Surplus Food

Donation Liability Fact Sheet Businesses and nonprofits that donate or distribute donated food or grocery products
are well-protected by laws designed to provide immunity from liability related to food donations. This fact sheet translates the "legalese".
Dept. of Public Health Guidance Guidance from the Franklin County and City of Columbus Departments of Public Health of food donation.
Chef Tom Colicchio Explains Liability Protections Chef Tom Colicchio Explains Liability Protections for Food Donors

Donate Food from your Business

Connect with a local organization to learn about food donation and schedule your first pick up.

Food Donation Liability Protection

Federal and State laws offer protection for donors who provide food to nonprofit organizations to feed those in need. Learn more from the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic about the federal legislation protecting donors to feel confident about your donation.

Earn Tax Deductions on your Food Donation

Learn how you can earn deductions on your business’s federal taxes by donating food with the Nashville Food Waste Initiative’s guidance on calculating your deduction.

Find a Donation Partner

Compost

Some food scraps are unavoidable- like lemon rinds and avocado pits- but those items can still be valuable sources of nutrients either for feeding animals or for composting. Learn more and get started today.

Man in truck
Connect with Local Haulers Local businesses provide hauling services to collect and process your food scraps into compost. Scroll down to see the local business partners who can help you start a program.
Engage Your Team with Compost Learn what steps you need to take to ensure your program’s success by engaging you team on what to compost, updating your waste hauling contract, and more. This guide from Chittenden County provides helpful step by step instructions to help you get started.
Bin of food scraps
Learn about On-Site Composting and DIY Options Click on the “Find On-Site Composting Options” button below to learn more about on-site composting models and technology to consider for your business.

Hear Another Food Business’s Compost Story

Eataly, a grocery retailer, partnered with the National Restaurant Association to share their experience of setting up a compost program in their store. Watch their story to learn from their experience.

On-site Composting Options

US Composting Council Equipment Guide: This overview presentation provides an introduction to some of the steps and consideration to keep in mind when starting an on-site composting program and outlines a variety of technology options.

Vancouver On-site Composting Guide: This guide from Metro Vancouver compares several options for on-site composting systems to help you find a model that fits your operations and your price point.

Big Hanna Composter: An on-site composting option for large generators of food waste. Learn more and find out if the Big Hanna is right for you.
Connect With Local Organics Haulers
Specialized Guides & Additional Resources

Find Resources Designed Specially for your Business

Franklin County Food Business Resource Portal

Use these free resources designed specially for Franklin County food businesses to Plan, Launch, and Grow your food business. Find local partners and resources to start growing your business today.

Learn More

Share The Campaign Tell Customers About Your Food Waste Reduction

Use pre-designed Save More Than Food social media posts and images to talk to customers about the work that you are doing to reduce food waste and encourage them to do their part too!

Share The Campaign