3 Easy Ways To Make Your Food Business More Sustainable

Julie Starr • May 21, 2020



As a food business, sustainability should be at the heart of your brand. Customers and diners are savvier than ever with an acute need to know where the food that they are eating is coming from. They don’t want to be eating New Zealand lamb that has a mammoth carbon footprint when they know that you can source lamb from the farm an hour’s drive away. Being eco-friendly is a vital part of business nowadays, and it’s no different for the food industry. Take a look at how you can ensure that your food business is as sustainable as possible.

Street Food

The most on-trend food businesses at the moment are those that use local, often organic produce, that emulates authentic cuisine. Street food is seen as a rustic and accessible form of catering that many different sorts of diners are tapping into. The variety of food on offer is exciting – Mexican tacos, Vietnamese pho or vegan gyros. To maintain sustainability, think about the sort of mobile unit you may use. By following this ultimate guide for custom canopy tents , you can market yourself and your brand effectively while having a sturdy, resilient and reusable outlet for your food. Think about your ingredients and link up with fellow sellers at the events and foodie markets that you attend. Local cheesemongers and butchers will relish being part of your enterprise and it will save the food miles. Push this facet of your business to your diners as they will appreciate your eco-credentials.

Packaging

The worst way to be unsustainable is by using excess packaging and packaging that is damaging to the environment. If you are selling burgers, open sandwiches or meals, there are plenty of recyclable plates and tubs that you can serve from. You could even source biodegradable packaging for your cuisine . You also need to consider the packaging of the ingredients you buy. Plastic does real damage to the environment so you need to steer clear of this as much as possible. Encourage reuse amongst your customers. If you serve coffee, have a money off incentive to encourage your customers to enjoy your caramel latte in their own reusable cup.

Respect Workers

If you are sourcing ingredients from overseas because there is no local alternative such as chocolate, raw cacao, coconut or spices, don’t just ensure the food and packaging is eco-friendly. You also need to respect the workers that are producing your product. Research the farms, plants, and companies you deal with and ensure that they pay their workers a fair wage. You don’t want to be funding or contributing to the harm or mistreatment of human beings. While this may feel a little abstract, you need to remain socially conscious.

Being part of the food industry can be challenging in these uncertain times. The economy is looking less stable than in previous years and you need to ensure that you can show off the benefits of your enterprise to your diners. With a sustainable attitude, your business can thrive.

 

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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