A responsible purchasing policy for more sustainable catering

Definition of a responsible and sustainable purchasing policy

A responsible purchasing is defined by its respect for precise environmental and socio-economic criteria. It is an approach that prioritizes transparency, ethics and quality, thus promoting a positive impact on society and the environment.

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How to implement a responsible purchasing approach?

• Assess what's going on behind the scenes. As with a recipe, start by checking your ingredients - in this case, your current purchasing practices. This is the time to see what's working well and what could be improved. Perhaps you'll discover that some suppliers aren't as green as they claim?
  

• Choose your suppliers as you would choose your vegetables. There's no question of taking the first person who comes along! Set clear criteria: respect for the environment, impeccable ethics, top quality. It's a bit like opting for organic or local produce: it requires a little more research, but it's worth it.

• Keeping an eye on the dish. Implementing a purchasing policy is one thing. Making sure it's followed to the letter is even better! Just as a chef keeps an eye on his cooking, monitor and evaluate the impact of your purchases. This will enable you to adjust your aim continuously, for ever-better performance.

👉 Find out more: How to find the best suppliers for your restaurant

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Why implement a responsible purchasing approach?

Because, in practical terms, choosing the responsible purchasing path is a win-win situation. Not only does it improve the way you manage your purchasing, it also strengthens your relationships with customers and suppliers. And the bonus? Reducing your impact on the environment. It's as if, by choosing your ingredients more carefully, you're making your restaurant healthier, more ethical and more appreciated by all.

In the world of catering, thinking sustainable is a bit like balancing a menu: you have to find the right balance between taste, health and respect for the planet.

• On the social side, it's all about transmission. Think of catering as a school. What's its role? To teach us how to eat well, to choose foods that respect our health and our Earth. By meeting consumer expectations, it becomes a role model, showing that quality and sustainability can go hand in hand.
  

• From an economic point of view, this is a major challenge. Promoting quality food means choosing the right products. Like a chef who selects his ingredients, the foodservice industry targets those that offer real added value: both in terms of nutrition and taste. The idea? "Eat less, but better". It's a way of reinventing the way we consume, by promoting the work of committed producers and encouraging a more virtuous economy!
  

• Environmentally, food waste is in the spotlight. Reducing leftovers is the major challenge facing our collective kitchens. Every portion of food saved counts. It's a battle on several fronts: buy better, cook better, consume better. By hunting down waste, catering can become a key player in protecting our environment.

👉 To find out more: What does the 2024 law say about sorting biowaste for restaurants?

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What are the objectives of a sustainable purchasing policy? 

Adopting a sustainable purchasing policy in the foodservice sector is a bit like cultivating your own garden. Every detail is taken care of to ensure that the whole thrives. But what are the objectives you need to aim for if your garden is to bear the best fruit?

• Engaging local players: Imagine a community where producers, restaurateurs and consumers walk hand in hand. Formalizing this commitment means laying the foundations for a solid local food system. It's about encouraging everyone to think and act in the common interest, with a focus on more thoughtful, respectful consumption.
  

• Promote local produce: Knowing the producers in your region is like discovering hidden treasures. Favoring short circuits means choosing to support the local economy while reducing the carbon footprint of your plate. It's also an opportunity to offer your guests fresh produce, bursting with flavor and history.
  

• Guiding purchasing: Whether you're a local authority or a private company, navigating the world of responsible purchasing can seem complex. Supporting stakeholders in this approach means providing them with a compass, helping them to make choices that resonate with their values and the needs of their guests.
  

• Combining economy and ecology: who said that respecting the environment had to be expensive? It is possible to optimize production costs while preserving our planet. It requires us to think carefully about our purchasing methods, to find innovative solutions that reduce waste and expenses.

👉 Going further: 7 tips for organizing composting in the foodservice industry

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Choosing Innovorder

To effectively navigate the sustainable foodservice landscape, it's essential to work with an innovative technology partner. 

Innovorder sees itself as an essential partner. Our mission? To offer you customized digital solutions to optimize every aspect of your foodservice operation. From intelligent order management to optimizing guest flow through advanced technologies such as AI tray scanning and order kiosks, Innovorder transforms the challenges of foodservice into opportunities for sustainable growth and continuous improvement of the customer experience. 

By placing technology at the heart of your responsible purchasing strategy, Innovorder helps you take a step towards more efficient, eco-responsible management of your business. 

Find out how Innovorder can revolutionize your approach to foodservice by contacting an Innovorder expert.