Restaurants are the gateway to a sustainable food system
‘Today I’m going to share with you some of the most important ideas that can not only show your businesses place in a sustainable food system but to elevate your brand in the eyes of both current and new customers.
My mission in our food industry is to support a sustainable food system. Our contribution is to connect and promote good food stories. We aim to do this through traceability allowing consumers to purchase with purpose not only when they shop but also when they dine.
Food is on trend and as restaurateurs I believe you are the gateway to local food community survival.
People want to feel connected to
the businesses they support
Lets start with what we know
The most important factor on purchasing decisions is trust
People want to feel connected to the businesses they support and transparency shows a business with integrity which ultimately leads to loyalty”
Now our restaurant industry is about two things food and service
Food has been the new black for over a decade now,” and there are no signs that is going to be changing . We are immersed in a culture of #foodporn and celebrity chefs, like honestly 20 years ago would we even put those two words together celebrity and chef. Yet today, consumers of all age’s can name and follow multiple of these new celebrities.
We have seen what effect TV shows like masterchef have had on the way people eat and the influence it has on how they purchase.
The phenomenon has capitalized on consumers’ expectations on transparency in their food
Consumers want to know what they are feeding their body. Something easily done when they prepare meals themselves.
Today's Consumers want to know
What Social Impact a Business has
- Where is it from
- What's in it
- Fair Pay Farmers and Workers
- Animal Welfare
- Local Economy
- Storage
- Distance to Plate
And that’s not even getting into the gluten free, dairy free, vegan questions.
Restaurants play a very important role in their local communities food system.
It’s time for restaurants to benefit on the sustainable trend and I say trend here quiet loosely as trends come and go. Yet I do not believe that consumers expectations as far as transparency is concerned will go backwards on such an important topic like the food we eat.
With such an intense focus on food and its source, There will be more competition, and opportunities than ever before.
While I’ve touched on the ease of consumers knowing their food story when they shop and prepare themselves.
What if restaurants matched even bypassed their traceability expectations?
Now to build the connection
One of our most basic needs as humans is the need for connection, sense of belonging sits alongside the needs of food shelter water
The names and faces of the people behind your produce will market your venue and dining experience better than anything.
Consider the connection from consumer to their food story when you compare a waiter or waitress adding fresh caught local seafood or reading grass fed angus beef on a menu to seeing the names, faces and stories behind your produce on their phone or tablet as they are ordering or waiting for their order.
When a business associates its brand with a cause, it gives consumers the chance to express their values with their money.
Let’s have a look at a restaurant's
sustainable food Trump Cards
ECONOMY
Your buying power in just dollars can make more of a difference in a good food community than any household can.
ACCESS
Your connection to the wholesale and even primary producer market does not monopolize your buying habits.
SHOWCASE
You can showcase good food stories on plate and serve it with the aroma and taste that no TV show or magazine can compare.
Your business can be known for integrity and being socially conscious just by showcasing your network.
Socially conscious marketing is a powerful way for businesses to connect with customers.
66% of consumers will pay more for a product or service committed to a positive social impact
People want to feel connected to a business they support and transparency shows integrity
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The names and faces of the people behind your produce will market your venue and dining experience better than anything.
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The journey is gratifying and the greater goal of a transparent sustainable food system an epic finale
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A restaurants connection with food for the consumer is one of pleasure. For this reason and many more I believe restaurants play a very important role in their local communities food system
