Reducing waste, increasing profit: Businesses sign up for OCC’s Foodwise

13 companies in Oxfordshire have had site assessments to help them save money and many others are applying to be part of the programme. Around 60 companies have signed up for Foodwise in the South East, recognising the need to save more money and waste less food. The project looks at smarter ways of buying food products and ingredients, sustainable practices in the kitchen and the recycling of food waste.

SMEs who enrol in the project are offered:

Site assessments to look at where efficiencies could be made
On-line support to learn how to save money on energy, waste and water.
Support with adopting food waste collections
Networking events to share ideas and learn from other SMEs

The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and aims to help 250 SMEs working in or serving/supplying the hospitality sector in the South East.

Cutting waste is good for business

Oxfordshire County Councillor David Nimmo-Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy said: “I am pleased that we are leading on this initiative, which supports business growth and resource efficiency, while cutting waste in the county”.

Organisations the council is working with include restaurants, cafes, hotels, canteens, caterers and others. We have already helped many SMEs to learn more about being sustainable, as it makes sense and it’s good for business. Last year, the Council launched the Too Good to Waste Oxfordshire campaign and provided dozens of restaurants, pubs and cafes with free eco-friendly “take me home boxes” to offer to diners.

If you are a SME in the hospitality sector and you would like to be involved in this project, please contact Helen Ramsey, Foodwise Project Officer at Oxfordshire County Council: Foodwise@oxfordshire.gov.uk

For more information please go to: http://www.food-wiseuk.co.uk/