Food Waste Intelligence

Kathy Cacciola, Google's Global Sustainability Lead - Food Program, recently participated in a panel discussion at the ReFed Food Waste Summit titled "Subtle but Successful: Hidden Solutions to Food Waste." As a Leanpath client, Google has made significant strides in food waste reduction, driven by a public goal of reducing food waste by 50% per Googler by the end of 2025 and achieving zero food waste to landfill. Here are the takeaways from this ReFed discussion.

In the fast-paced world of restaurants, every penny counts. And when it comes to financial success, few metrics are as critical as food cost. Typically hovering between 25% and 35% of every dollar of food sales, managing this expense is paramount. But are you truly aware of your food cost variance? Understanding and actively managing this metric isn't just good practice; it's essential for your restaurant's financial health.

The fight against food waste is not a sprint; it’s a multi-act play, and from my perspective, it’s clear we’ve entered a critical "Second Act." This current phase demands a renewed focus on practical solutions, smart technology, and the enduring business case for waste reduction. As I recently discussed in an interview with The Spoon, we're well beyond the initial awakening, but not yet at the finish line.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has made a remarkable stride in its sustainability journey, announcing a significant 41% reduction in food waste across its fleet, achieved through its partnership with Leanpath. This impressive achievement in 2024 is equivalent to saving more than 185,417 meals, showcasing a strong commitment to environmental responsibility in the luxury river cruise sector.