Transcript

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From Washington State University Extension, I’m Susie Craig.

Did you know it’s Food Waste Prevention Week in Washington state? This week, our podcast focuses on how restaurants reduce food waste while keeping food safe for you to eat. In a study by the National Restaurant Association, 55% of consumers consider a restaurant’s food waste reduction efforts when choosing a restaurant.

Here are some of the ways restaurants work to reduce food waste while keeping food safety in mind.

• They regularly audit food waste.

• They work with suppliers, receiving and storing food carefully, attentive to use by dates.

• They design menus to reduce waste, giving customers portion size choices and accommodating those who want to take leftovers home.

• They donate food to others following food safety protocols.

Thanks for listening to Food Safety in a Minute.

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Resources

National Restaurant Association. 86 Food Waste: Managing Food Waste in Restaurants. https://www.restaurantkitchen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021_86FoodWaste_Report_Update.pdf. Accessed online 3.19/25.