Happy New Year from The Table Food Consultants!
As we welcome 2024, we’re excited to champion sustainability in hospitality more than ever. We hope your holidays were joyful and your kitchens filled with festive cheer! With a fresh year ahead, our mission continues — raising awareness and delivering practical, impactful strategies to help businesses grow sustainability in hospitality.
This year, our focus is on education and accessibility — ensuring that every venue, from small cafés to large commercial kitchens, understands how sustainable practices can benefit both the planet and the bottom line.
What Does “Sustainable Hospitality” Really Mean?
You’ve probably seen words like “eco-friendly,” “green,” or “Earth-smart” used everywhere — on packaging, menus, and marketing. But what does true sustainability in hospitality involve?
Let’s start with a simple definition:
Sustainability means meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
At The Table, we break this down into the 3 P’s:
- People: Prioritizing fair wages, respectful workplaces, mental health, diversity, and staff development.
- Planet: Minimizing environmental impact through smarter sourcing, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and responsible procurement.
- Profit: Balancing the above with business viability — sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing success.
Why Sustainability in Hospitality Matters in 2024
The food and beverage industry plays a massive role in the world’s environmental footprint — but also holds huge potential for positive change.
Food Waste
- 1/3 of all food produced globally is wasted.
- Food waste is the 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases, after the US and China.
- In hospitality, 17% of food leaves the kitchen and comes back as plate waste.
Fishing
- Some marine species populations have declined by nearly 50% in the past 40 years.
- Overfishing threatens food security and marine ecosystems.
Packaging
- A single coffee cup uses around 3.8 liters of water to produce.
- Australians throw away over 1 billion disposable cups every year.
Good News? You Can Make a Difference
The best part? These are all areas that hospitality professionals can directly influence. Every menu change, every supplier you choose, and every piece of packaging counts.
We’ve already begun laying the groundwork for a more sustainable industry — and 2024 is our year to double down.
What’s Coming in 2024?
Over the next 12 months, we’ll be rolling out:
- Blog posts & practical tips
- Free webinars & training
- Downloadable resources from our Resource Bank
- Hands-on workshops for your team
We’re driven by the fact that 54% of consumers are now more mindful about where their food comes from. That awareness fuels change — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Join Us on the Journey
Let’s work together to create real, lasting change in the hospitality space. Whether you’re just starting or already on your sustainability in hospitality journey, there’s always a next step.
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Contact us to chat about your sustainability goals
Here’s to a greener, smarter, more sustainable 2024!
