24 Questions to Ask Your Event Caterer to Check They’re Sustainable
Planning an event with a side of sustainability? We love that and love that you want to know what to ask to find out if a caterer is truly ethical, low waste, sustainable or whichever word they claim.
But with so many businesses claiming to be "eco-friendly," how do you actually know your caterer walks the sustainable talk (and doesn’t just greenwash the menu)?
So how do you sniff out the real green from the greenwash?
Here’s our suggested list of questions to ask your caterer to figure out if they’re genuinely committed to planet-loving practices or just tossing buzzwords around like a salad.
How do you reduce food waste at events?
Food waste is one of the biggest environmental issues in the catering world. A truly sustainable caterer will have solid systems in place to avoid over-ordering and over-serving.
Ask:
How do you plan portions to minimise waste?
Do you track or measure your food waste?
What happens to any leftovers, are they donated, composted, or taken home?
Bonus points if they can show you data or tell you what they've learned from measuring waste over time.
Do you use single-use plastics like gladwrap or disposable containers?
Ah, the dreaded Glad Wrap. It might be convenient, but it’s a sustainability red flag.
Ask:
What kind of packaging do you use for prep and delivery?
Do you avoid single-use plastic?
How do you transport food sustainably?
Look out for compostable, reusable or recyclable alternatives and a caterer who cares about the answers.
Do you use local and seasonal produce?
Sustainability starts at the source and caterers who work with seasonal, locally grown ingredients usually have the freshest menus and the smallest footprints. If your strawberries are flying in from Spain for a summer lunch in Sydney… we’ve got a problem.
Ask:
Where do you source your produce?
Do you use local suppliers or farms?
How often do your menus change to reflect what’s in season?
These questions open up beautiful stories about collaboration and care that can make your event feel even more meaningful.
Do you have any sustainability certifications?
Certifications aren’t everything, but they can show that a caterer is serious about their impact.
Ask:
Are you certified by any sustainability organisations like B Corp, Sustainable Table, or Compost Connect?
Have you received any environmental awards or recognitions?
Do you follow any third-party sustainability standards?
Even if they’re not certified, they should still be able to clearly explain the sustainability principles guiding their business.
Do you measure and offset your carbon emissions?
From refrigeration to transport, catering can be carbon-intensive. The best ethical catering providers are aware of this and are actively working to reduce and/or offset their emissions.
Ask:
Have you measured your carbon footprint?
What steps have you taken to reduce your emissions?
Do you partner with any offsetting programs?
If they have numbers to share, even better, it means they’re tracking progress.
What do you do with leftovers?
It’s a question worth repeating, because it’s not just about avoiding waste but what happens if there is some.
Ask:
Do you donate excess food?
Can guests take food home?
Do you compost leftover scraps?
Sustainable caterers will have clear answers (and probably a compost bin in the van).
Final thoughts: Choosing a sustainable caterer is about more than the menu
You don’t need to interrogate your caterer like they’re on a cooking show under hot lights, but a few thoughtful questions can go a long way in making sure your event aligns with your values.
And remember: a truly sustainable caterer will love these questions. They’ve probably been hoping someone would ask.