The Calavo Way: Reducing Food Waste
Oct 6, 2022 12:00 PM ET
Originally published in Calavo Grower's 2021 Sustainability Report
In 2021, Calavo joined the 10x20x30 initiative, a groundbreaking effort to bring together the world’s largest food retailers and providers, each engaging at least 20 suppliers to halve food loss and waste by 2030.
Our “Target-Measure-Act” approach includes a target of reducing food loss and waste in our own operations by 50%; measuring and publishing our food loss and waste inventories; and taking action to reduce our waste.
One of our first initiatives is a closer look at product yield. Are we cutting fruit and vegetables efficiently to optimize yield and minimize loss? Our yield program includes:
- Training employees on proper cutting techniques to meet our yield goals.
- Assessing the tools and equipment necessary to ensure employees are set up for success.
- Continuous training on intake of fruit and vegetables to ensure they meet our quality standards.
- Performing quality checks and reporting any potential food waste gaps to our purchasing team.