Run your street food business – sustainably!

NCASS partners, Biopac share their top tips for trading sustainably

Biopac on the recent street food revolution:

“Street food is growing in popularity – and it’s not difficult to see why. In cities, stalls and vans are the cosmopolitan way to grab a tasty treat – whilst festivals, fetes and events aren’t complete without a line-up of delicious dining options. However, mobile caterers are facing rising demand for sustainably sourced produce and packaging. After all, the charm of street food is rooted in its raw return to rustic presentation, real flavours and traditional tastes with contemporary combinations. But it’s also a key contributor to littering and landfill – two major problems for our environment, and our economy. With this in mind it’s only fitting that the practices and passions surrounding your street food business extend to the environment immediately around you, and beyond.

In this blog, we share some simple tips to help you to run your street food business sustainably and cost-effectively. Read on to learn how you can save the planet – and some money too.

The food industry and toxic litter:

Street food, as with any other food movement, will have contributed to the growing issue of pollution and waste caused by the food industry as a whole, which rises year on year as a result of an increasingly ‘throw-away society.’ After a number of high-profile campaigns (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall shocked the public last year with the revelation that standard coffee cups are non-recyclable) consumers have started to pay more attention to the packaging containing their food in supermarkets and restaurants.

That campaign in particular sparked a nationwide switch from traditional cups to sustainable alternatives – but there is still plenty to be done to reduce the waste produced by the hospitality industry and home cooks alike. Littering costs the UK £1 billion per year – but the most frightening cost attached to unsustainable packaging is environmental. Whilst litter can result in drain blockages, water contamination and rising rat populations, landfill sites contribute to global warming and pose pollution risk to the habitats and homes surrounding them.

Sustainable packaging, sustainable products:

Considering the environment is a recipe for success – good for business and planet earth! As consumers become more conscious, they’ll actively seek out street food with a conscience – so failing to provide it could end up meaning you lose out.

As consumers demand to know how sustainable your packaging is, they also want to learn more about the provenance of their food. Increasingly, ignorance is being replaced with interest – with many shying away from the unpalatable truths of fast food such as factory farming and genetic modification. If you aren’t already doing so, it’s worth contemplating your switch to sustainable packaging with some sustainable produce. Buy meat and fish locally, opt for organic where you can and choose seasonal fruit and veg over food which has flown thousands of miles between producer and plate.

Choose a reputable supplier

Not all sustainable packaging is created equal. At Biopac, we’re dedicated to providing innovative solutions with sustainability and affordability. As the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of eco-friendly food packaging we take a leading role in research and development. Our products are accredited and preferred by hospitality companies both large and small – as approved suppliers of The Sustainable Restaurant Association (The SRA.)”

Contact: As ever, if you have any questions please get in touch with us here at NCASS
T 0121 603 2524
E info@ncass.org.uk

 

The Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) is the only trade association dedicated to supporting mobile caterers and street food sellers in the UK. Their mission is to provide traders with all the information, systems and support they need to be profitable, safe and legal traders. From start-ups to fully-fledged mobile ventures, NCASS offers advice and materials to help caterers at any stage of business. For more guidance about mobile catering or to learn more about membership, visit www.ncass.org.uk or call 0121 603 2524.