Food waste reduction in foodservice is a growing priority – and for good reason. In the UK, hospitality and foodservice businesses generate over one million tonnes of food waste every year, costing around £3.2 billion. And while kitchens play a big role, much of the waste starts earlier in the supply chain.
As a foodservice business, you may already be doing what you can – training staff, planning menus carefully, and managing portions. But the truth is, your efforts are only as strong as the supply chain supporting them. Choosing a supplier who actively minimises waste – and whose tech enables smarter decisions – can make all the difference.
Across the UK, hospitality and foodservice businesses generate around 1.5 million tonnes of food waste annually, contributing to the estimated 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from food waste overall. Choosing a supplier who actively works to minimise waste can help significantly reduce this impact.
Supply Chain Insights for Food Waste Reduction in Foodservice
Many conversations about food waste focus on portion sizes or menu planning. But by the time food reaches your kitchen, some of the waste has already happened – before you’ve had a chance to do anything about it.
Over-ordering, poor forecasting, short-dated stock, and missed deliveries are just some of the culprits. Food waste can occur at multiple points across the supply chain – from farm to fork. In fact, it’s estimated that around 25% of food waste in the UK supply chain happens before it even reaches the kitchen. That’s why traceability, forecasting, and smarter logistics should be part of your supplier’s offer.
How to Support Food Waste Reduction in Foodservice Through Smarter Suppliers
It’s not just about what your supplier delivers – it’s how they deliver it. And in a world where ‘sustainable’ claims are everywhere, it’s important to dig deeper.
This podcast from Bidfood explores exactly that: what it really means to choose products and suppliers that are genuinely sustainable, not just labelled as such.
While your team manages front-of-house sustainability – like composting or waste tracking – your supplier holds the keys to upstream decisions. Choosing a partner who uses intelligent tools and takes waste reduction seriously can have a real impact on your own sustainability goals.
It’s not just about what your supplier delivers – it’s how they deliver it.
But even if you’re doing all the right things, your efforts can be undermined if your supply chain isn’t on the same page.
Not wanting to state the obvious… but preventing waste at the source is far more effective than collecting and converting it afterwards. That starts with intelligent planning, demand-driven ordering, and accurate delivery processes – all of which rely on having the right systems in place.
Smart Distribution Systems for Food Waste Reduction in Foodservice
Let’s break it down. A distributor that runs on outdated systems is more likely to:
Can your supplier do all this? From tracking expiry dates to managing deliveries, smart distribution matters.
- Deliver items too late in their shelf life.
- Miss delivery windows.
- Waste packaging.
- Over-order due to lack of real-time insight.
Now imagine working with a distributor who:
- Tracks expiry dates and batch numbers.
- Lets you self-manage orders and deliveries.
- Has the visibility to move stock between depots to prevent spoilage.
- Monitors packaging usage across operations.
That’s the difference between operating reactively and proactively.
Smarter Distribution = Less Waste
How Qnetex Helps Distributors Do Better
Qnetex is the software powering many of these sustainable practices. It’s used by food distributors such as Bidfood who want to work smarter and waste less – without adding complexity for customers.
Behind the scenes, Qnetex:
- Enables real-time stock visibility.
- Tracks expiry dates and batch numbers.
- Powers hub-and-spoke distribution models to rebalance supply across depots.
- Supports Just In Time inventory for fresher deliveries.
- Helps customers self-manage orders to reduce failed deliveries.
- Tracks packaging use, so it can be reduced where possible.
These aren’t just technical features – they’re the foundations of a supply chain that works better for everyone. And with around 70% of UK food waste considered avoidable, there’s a clear opportunity to act.
Explore more about the hub-and-spoke model here.
Sustainability Isn’t a One-Way Street
Foodservice businesses can’t carry the weight of waste reduction alone. But neither can suppliers. The real gains come when both sides play their part.
Working with a food distributor that prioritises sustainability – and has the systems to prove it – helps you tackle waste before it even enters your operation. As we explore in “Why the Foodservice Industry Must Embrace Sustainability”, sustainability isn’t just a badge of honour, it’s a strategic business decision that affects your bottom line, your reputation, and your long-term resilience.
The UK Government’s food waste hierarchy puts prevention at the top of the priority list. That starts with choosing partners who can help you prevent waste, not just manage it.
A Shared Goal: Lower Waste, Greater Efficiency
Foodservice professionals need suppliers that match their ambitions. Whether you’re trying to cut costs, meet sustainability targets, or reduce environmental impact, your distributor should be helping you achieve that.
As our blog “The Taste of Spring… and the Waste We Leave Behind” explains, smart planning and early collaboration with suppliers are key to preventing seasonal waste.
Your choices matter. When you choose a distributor who uses a system like Qnetex – one designed for foodservice and built with sustainability in mind – you gain visibility, control, and confidence in your supply chain.
That’s sustainability that delivers.