Restaurants struggle to engage diners in climate conversations without losing their appetite
Diners are often hesitant to engage with restaurants' climate-conscious efforts, even as chefs and owners find creative ways to communicate environmental practices.
Jaya Saxena reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- Restaurants like PLNT Burger use tools like environmental trackers and loyalty programs to reward diners for eco-friendly food choices.
- Climate-conscious chefs face challenges in balancing environmental messaging with customer enjoyment, often opting for subtle approaches like menu notes or certifications.
- While sustainability goals are rising, only a fraction of customers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly options.
Key quote:
“This is a 1:1 link to crops not coming out good. And I think people need to wrap their heads around that this is not some far-off thing. This is hitting you right now in a way that you didn’t think it would.”
— Dan McKinney, owner of Firetype Chocolate
Why this matters:
Many restaurants are adopting sustainable practices, but communicating these choices without overwhelming customers is difficult. As climate change increasingly impacts food production, balancing the costs of sustainability with consumer demand is crucial.
Related: As climate change worsens, junk food companies exploit the crisis for profit
