Why It Matters 

Preventing food waste saves you money, reduces overall disposal costs, and keeps edible food feeding people instead of landfills.

Businesses that actively reduce food waste will attract more environmentally-conscious customers and better prepare themselves for emerging food waste reduction goals across Colorado.

 What We're Doing 

We want to connect you and your business to the best practices, tools, and partners that will help you reduce food waste at the source. Here's some simple steps to get you started:

1. Train Staff

• Teach proper storage and labeling to extend shelf life.
• Use clear “prep,” “freeze by,” and “use by” date labels.
• Follow First In, First Out (FIFO) inventory rotation.

2. Track and Monitor Waste

• Log discarded food by type (e.g., scraps, spoilage, leftovers).
• Use the data to adjust purchasing, prep techniques, and portion sizes.
• Try tools like LeanPath or EPA’s Food Waste Audit Tool.

3. Donate Surplus

• Partner with the Louisville Community Food Bank or Community Food Share to donate safe, unsold food.
• Keep donation records for possible tax deductions under the Good Samaritan Act.

4. Write a Food Waste Reduction Policy

• Include donation, storage, and waste guidelines in your operations manual.
• Assign a “waste reduction lead” to track progress and ensure accountability.

5. Share Your Success

• Highlight your efforts on your website, menus, or in-store signage.
• Customers are increasingly drawn to businesses that prioritize sustainability.

 Get Involved 

• Start tracking today: Even a week of data can highlight big opportunities for you to cut waste immediately!
• Find a donation partner: Connect with local food banks to set up regular pickups for excess food.
• Make it a part of company culture: Include waste reduction in your staff onboarding and training meetings.