It’s hard to plan exactly how much food and beverages you’ll need for an event. You don’t want to overspend on catering, but you don’t want guests to go without either.
Despite the best planning efforts, it’s easy to end up with so many leftovers you’re practically begging people to take some home. “I wish somebody would take this off our hands!" is a frequent mantra amongst those who throw events.
Well, good news. There are ways you can donate leftover food and drinks from an event. It just takes a little forethought and planning:
Make some calls beforehand
Be mindful of event clean up
Donate within 24 hours after your event
Share your donation process on social media
BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT AT MODERN MOMENTS, THE EAST VALLEY’S MOST CHARMING AND AFFORDABLE VENUE.
Planning a party, wedding, or corporate event? Look no further than Modern Moments! We have a beautiful green outdoor venue with an in-laid brick patio, a spacious amphitheater, and a sound stage. Also, our 1,200-square-foot indoor venue comes with a kitchen, refreshment bar, and conference facilities.
No matter your event style or needs, our versatile venue spaces can easily accommodate you! Our friendly event staff is here to help you gain inspiration, find local vendors, and clean up your event when it’s over.
Click below to book a free tour of the property today. Or come to our next open house, and see our beautiful space in person. All open houses are free and welcome to all!
Make Some Calls Beforehand
We all know what to do when cleaning our closets or homes for moving—just head to Goodwill. But what about extra food? Unfortunately, food items and meals are a bit more difficult to donate. You’ll need to get in touch with places that will accept them.
Google some food banks or homeless shelters in your area, then call them to see if or how you can donate perishable food items. You might be surprised how easy it can be once you make the right contacts.
Local grocery stores and restaurants regularly donate thousands of pounds of unexpired goods that are safe to consume, so non-profit organizations will often have a dedicated donation process. You just have to make some calls and talk to people about it.
You can sign up for the OLIO app if you'd rather not make calls. It's a free app that helps to reduce food waste, especially for catered events and offices. You can list a pickup location and add food items you want to donate.
Be Mindful of Event Clean-Up
Before your event, tell the event organizers and attendants about your donation plans upfront. That way, they don’t accidentally throw away acceptable food and drink items during event cleanup and teardown.
Things like half-eaten slices of cake or buffet plates shouldn’t be kept for sanitary reasons. If you have unopened drink bottles, fresh produce, or baked goods, save and organize them separately to donate afterward. Furthermore, make sure that you package your donations properly. Aluminum foil and recyclable bamboo trays with covers work well.
At Modern Moments, we have attentive and caring event staff who will help you set up and clean up your event. We even have professional event planners to assist with your décor and vendor coordination needs!
Donate Within 24 Hours After Your Event
Make sure to donate any fresh items as soon as possible, preferably 24 hours after your event ends. This will maintain the quality of your items and ensure they don’t go to waste.
Depending on if your event is catered, you might speak with your catering company about how they deal with leftovers. Sometimes, your caterer will handle the food bank drop-off on the way home from your event, saving you the trip.
This is yet another reason why planning ahead can make all the difference. Some brief conversations about the logistics of your event will help ease your stress and make the donation process easier.
Share Your Donation Process on Social Media
When you share beautiful photos from your event, include a social post about how you handled your leftovers. By sharing the process of who you called, the app you downloaded, and the food or beverage items you were allowed to donate, you’ll empower others to do the same.
Sometimes, the research behind reducing event food waste stops people from taking action. But when you’ve taken the time to figure it out for yourself, you can help others do it more easily and effectively.
RESERVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT MODERN MOMENTS.
From wedding receptions and kids' birthday parties to corporate planning meetings and community fundraisers, Modern Moments has everything you need to throw an unforgettable event.
We’re proud to have some of the most affordable rates in the East Valley, and although we have a curated list of preferred vendors, we don’t charge a fee for outside vendors (so long as they’re licensed). You’re welcome to come and set up your event however you like and create the event of your dreams!
Contact us for a free tour today. We’re conveniently located off U.S. Route 60 in historic Gilbert, AZ.