How do you train your staff to follow food waste reduction policies and procedures?

1 Assess your current situation

Before you start training your staff, you need to understand how much food waste you generate, what are the main sources and causes, and how much it costs you. You can use tools such as food waste audits, waste tracking systems, or food waste calculators to measure and monitor your food waste. This will help you identify the areas where you can improve and set realistic goals and targets for your staff.

2 Develop clear policies and procedures

Once you have a clear picture of your food waste situation, you need to develop clear policies and procedures for your staff to follow. These should include guidelines on how to prevent, reduce, reuse, and recycle food waste at each stage of the food service process, from purchasing and storage to preparation and service. You should also define roles and responsibilities for your staff, assign food waste champions, and establish reporting and feedback mechanisms.

3 Train your staff effectively

The next step is to train your staff effectively on how to follow your food waste reduction policies and procedures. You should use a variety of methods, such as workshops, demonstrations, videos, posters, or online courses, to suit different learning styles and needs. You should also make the training engaging, interactive, and relevant, by using examples, case studies, or quizzes. You should also provide ongoing support and coaching for your staff, and update the training as needed.

4 Incentivize and reward your staff

Another way to train your staff to follow your food waste reduction policies and procedures is to incentivize and reward them for their efforts. You can use different types of incentives, such as recognition, feedback, bonuses, prizes, or certificates, to motivate and appreciate your staff. You can also create a culture of food waste reduction in your business, by sharing best practices, celebrating successes, and involving your staff in decision making and problem solving.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?