special feature
SUSTAINABILITY Takes Center Stage | BY KATHLEEN FURORE | Sustainability
has evolved from a buzzword to a must-consider component of running a business in most any industry — the restaurant and foodservice industry included. As the National Restaurant Association notes in its What’s Hot 2022 Culinary Forecast, “Sustainability will continue to influence menus and how restaurants make decisions across the board. From reusable and recyclable packaging to zero-waste options, restaurants are continuing to prioritize sustainable initiatives.” Sustainable packaging, in fact, ranked as the top trend for 2022 among the 350 professional chefs surveyed. According to the report, “It’s likely that many restaurants will make efforts to offer recyclable or reusable packaging in the coming year as consumers continue to rely on off-premises dining.” The forecast also says that plantbased foods, which are part of the sustainability movement, were cited as the second-hottest trend. (You’ll find information about that trend in our cover story that begins on page 12.) (continued on pgs 20-21)
“The sustainability movement will continue to grow this year, with a focus on foods, packaging and business practices that minimize damage to the environment.”
1818el elrestaurante restaurante | JAN/FEB/MAR | JAN/FEB/MAR 2022 2022
–NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, What’s Hot 2022 Culinary Forecast
