Food Waste Sustainability

This course provides learners with the skills and knowledge to identify, manage and reduce food waste across food and hospitality operations. It is designed for hospitality workers, business owners, suppliers, educators and students who work with food in commercial, institutional or training environments.

The course explores where food waste occurs throughout the food cycle, including purchasing, storage, preparation, service and disposal. Learners examine the environmental, operational and cost impacts of food waste and the role the food and hospitality industry plays in reducing waste sent to landfill. The course also introduces current NSW food waste reduction requirements, including Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) systems.

Through scenarios, industry examples and interactive activities, learners develop skills to measure food waste, apply food safety and storage practices to extend shelf life, implement waste‑conscious menu and recipe planning, and use sustainable sourcing and procurement practices. Strategies such as portion control, chef’s specials, staff engagement, food donation and correct waste source separation are embedded throughout the course to support cost savings and more sustainable operations.

On completion, learners will be able to apply practical food waste reduction strategies in their workplace and develop a simple action plan to support sustainable and efficient food operations.

At the end of this microskill, you will be able to:

• Identify where food waste occurs across the food cycle
• Measure and monitor food waste in a food operation
• Apply food safety and storage practices that reduce spoilage and waste
• Implement menu and recipe strategies to minimise food waste
• Use sustainable sourcing and procurement practices to reduce pre‑customer waste
• Apply correct waste source separation and disposal practices
• Develop an action plan to reduce food waste and associated costs

As you work through the course you will have the opportunity to progressively check your understanding and answer some questions at the end of each module. Upon completion of the course, undertake the post-course self-assessment and the feedback activity to obtain your certificate of completion.

Duration: 3 hours
Delivery: Online (self-paced)
Access period: 6 months access from the day of enrolment

Proudly funded by the NSW Government Environment Protection Authority.