COVID-19 has sharpened the focus on sustainability

Consumers cite venues with a responsible approach to reducing food waste as an important factor when choosing to eat out according to the latest insight from Zonal and CGA’s GO Technology research.

The side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have seen an increase in people working from home and shopping locally, which has led a fresh awareness of environmental impacts. When asked about what has become more important to them when eating-out since lockdown, almost half (47%) of the 5,000 UK adults surveyed cited issues linked to sustainability, with a 24% like how local their food is sourced and 12% said the carbon footprint of ingredients was an important factor.

The survey highlighted that 67% of consumers believe it is important that brands take a responsible approach to food waste, with more than half (56%) think a small menu is a positive indication that the brand has a responsible approach to minimising waste. Whilst over three quarters (78%) of those aged 55+ think quality is more important on a menu than variety.