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The restaurant workers' union in Darmstadt supports a penalty payment for full plates – the proceeds are intended to benefit employees
In Darmstadt and the surrounding area, more and more restaurants are resorting to an unusual measure against food waste: Anyone who loads up too much "all you can eat" buffet penalty . The Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) in Darmstadt and Mainz considers this a sensible step – but only under one condition.
“The ‘discipline euro at the buffet’ is an effective way to encourage guests to change their behavior. But the revenue shouldn’t just go into the pockets of the restaurant owners,” says Guido Noll , managing director of the NGG region of Darmstadt and Mainz. Instead, the union argues that cooks and waiters should also benefit from this revenue – for example, in the form of better wages or additional benefits.
Moderate consumption at the buffet
The NGG (Food, Beverages and Catering Union) is calling on restaurant patrons to handle food responsibly . Especially in buffet restaurants , it is common for guests to take large portions, leaving a lot of food uneaten. "People's eyes are often bigger than their stomachs," says Noll. "It would be better to take smaller portions and go to the buffet more often."
, introducing a "buffet fine" could help break this throwaway mentality . Half-empty glasses in all-you-can-drink beverage packages should also be considered. Noll: "Those who leave half a portion of food or drink behind might only reflect on their behavior when it costs them money."
A plea for greater appreciation of food
According to the NGG union, many restaurants throw hundreds of euros of food every week – a financial loss and an ethical problem at the same time. Therefore, the union demands: "This money could be used more effectively – for example, for more staff or better pay."
donating part of the “buffet fine” to charitable organizations such as “Bread for the World”
Responsibility on all sides
“Meat, fish, vegetables – every food product is the result of hard work,” Noll reminds us. Those helping themselves at a buffet should be aware of this. It’s time to develop a new awareness of food and fair trade .
(RED/NGG)
Featured image: Dig in: Buffets offer the chance to try everything. Eat without limits: Pile your plate high. But those who don't finish their food already face a penalty in some "all you can eat" restaurants. This could now become standard practice: The NGG catering union in Darmstadt and Mainz sees the "waste penalty" as an effective means of curbing wasteful habits. The goal is to reduce food waste in the future. Photo: NGG | Florian Göricke
