Mayor David Briley, in partnership with the Nashville Food Waste Initiative, the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association and Nashville Originals, has issued a challenge to local restaurants, hotels and event venues to reduce their food waste.

Businesses can have a significant impact in reducing food waste by preventing food from being wasted in the first place, as well as donating wholesome excess food to nonprofits working to relieve hunger among people in need. Businesses participating in the challenge are asked to select and implement practices from a menu of options to prevent food waste, donate food and/or recycle food scraps, and report on their progress.

“Too many Nashvillians are hungry and in need of healthy food,” Mayor David Briley said. “Over 100,000 Davidson County residents, including more than 25,000 children, are food-insecure. This purpose of this challenge is to bring businesses together to make a meaningful impact in the lives of many of our residents, especially around the holiday season.”

“The hospitality industry generates almost 40% of our food waste in Nashville. Food waste of this magnitude has serious environmental, social justice and cost implications,” said Linda Breggin, project coordinator for the Nashville Food Waste Initiative. “The hospitality industry can have a big impact in reducing food waste, especially in Davidson County, where we are experiencing rapid population growth and diminishing landfill capacity.”

“I find that more and more chefs are putting practices into place at their restaurants to reduce food waste, myself included,” said Chef Maneet Chauhan of Chauhan Ale & Masala House. “The Mayor’s Food Saver Challenge inspires us to continue implementing those practices and share our knowledge with the community, so we can all strive to prevent good food from going to waste.”

Rob Mortensen, president/CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association and the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association, said, “We are honored to be a partner in this challenge and are encouraging our members to do their part to prevent food from going to waste.”

Local businesses that have already accepted the challenge include Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, Renaissance Nashville Hotel, The Hilton–Nashville Airport, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites– Nashville Downtown Convention Center, Chauhan Ale & Masala House, Puckett’s, Deacon’s New South, Dozen Bakery, Midtown Café, Miel, The Old School Farm to Table, Green Door Gourmet, Las Paletas, Tinwings, and B & C BBQ.

Chefs, owners and managers from local food-serving businesses of all sizes are encouraged to visit to learn more and sign up for the Mayor’s Food Saver Challenge.