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Some trends are seasonal, some trends are here to stay – they’re always popular – and some fade away and are forgotten. Trends shape our society. They define the world around us, and some stick while others don’t. One thing is for sure: trends centered on current events are sure to attract attention right now.

Most people fall into the trap of thinking that a food truck is a fad and will not last. However, food trucks can be a sustainable business if you have a well-thought-out plan.

In 2022, the year will be all about green solutions and methods. This coming year is all about environmentally conscious efforts. The following are ways you can incorporate this into your business.

Plant-Based Meat

As more people in North America and Europe shift to veganism, the demand for plant-based meat rises. Plant-based substitutes for animal meat have grown in popularity in countries such as Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., where the market is growing at a steep rate.

For years, food trucks have been known for serving comfort foods. Comfort foods are usually rich, sinful, and incredibly delicious. In 2022 however, that will no longer be the case because people want more nutritious alternatives.

As veganism becomes a trend, the demand for it increases. Vegan menu options and plant-based meat is provided to target a larger market. This is something no one else is currently offering.

Plant-based meat is an excellent option for your food truck, as it can provide customers with a low-calorie alternative to meat! If your food is primarily meaty and deep-fried, high in calories, plant-based proteins will provide you with the same rich and mouth-watering meal with fewer calories!

Calorie Counting

Health is wealth. 

The problem with rich and flavorful foods is their calorie content. A food truck’s offering isn’t necessarily healthy in terms of food. Often, a food truck serves food that is drenched in oil.

Calorie-conscious meals are not the most popular for food trucks because most fast food and comfort food is drenched in oil. In addition, the preferred cooking method in most food trucks is generally unhealthy and high in calories.

By specifying the calorie count of your menu items, you will widen your target market reach. Suppose most of your menu items are high in calories. In that case, you can add a few low-calorie options with a specified calorie count that will favor health-conscious patrons. This will help you attract customers that are looking for low-calorie and satisfying snacks on the go.

Most of the patrons of food trucks are millennials, which is a group between the ages of 25-34. Millennials have a set of values that are different from their predecessors. Most millennials show concern for healthy eating and a desire to buy organic food. For example, statistics on the buying attitude of millennials towards healthy living and consumerism from Statista show that almost 50% of millennial Americans look for healthy options when eating out. The addition of healthy and calorie-counted items to your existing menu will bring more money into your business due to the broader target audience!

Eco-friendly Solutions

The prevalence of food takeaway has contributed to a heightened food waste due to plastic use. This prompted the rise of eco-friendly packaging solutions.

There are many pros to using eco-friendly packaging for your food products. First, it eliminates or reduces plastic waste. Second, it transforms your branding to that of an environmentally conscious company.

Let’s face it, sustainability is a lifestyle. More and more people are transitioning into eco-friendly and environmentally-conscious decisions. This decision towards the path to sustainability has influenced people’s consumerism. Consumers are aware of the products they consume and the containers in which those products come. This awareness drives their behavior.

Green solutions don’t stop with using biodegradable and recycled packaging. Using eco-friendly cleaning supplies is also essential! It goes beyond that!

Al Fresco

The Coronavirus Pandemic has caused a massive concern about germs and diseases being spread through food sources. Restaurants have been forced to close down; however, outdoor restaurants have popped up everywhere instead! In the year 2020, dining has taken itself outdoors to help prevent the disease from spreading.

Food trucks often visit parks and offer fresh air with lots of space. Setting up shop in open-air areas is an attractive feature food trucks offer!

Edible Cutlery

As we all know, plastic cutlery harms the environment. Plastic utensils alone are produced by the U.S. alone in 40 billion pieces each year. That amount is not going to decrease any time soon. There will be a massive increase in these numbers due to the popularity of food deliveries and takeaways. We end up polluting our oceans with these plastic wastes.

Edible cutlery is a better alternative to plastic and metal utensils. Edible cutlery, like plastic and metal, can be used for many things such as cooking and eating. But unlike plastic and metal, edible cutlery can be consumed after you’re done using it. Doing so will make people talk about your business. You’ll be able to generate debate and awareness around your brand! Besides saving the environment, you will drive more customers who are environmentally conscious to your business.

Farm to Table

If you have access to farms or organic Produce, this is ideal for your business. The mobility of a food truck is an advantage. Offering customers a farm-to-table experience will hit the following objectives.

Less food waste due to spoilage and excess supply

Fresh produce daily

Sustainable Business Practices

Fresh Produce is a central selling point in your business. The freshness of fruits and vegetables that you serve adds a wow factor to your food. It sparks curiosity and adds to the quality of your business.

Grow your own Produce

You should try growing your own produce as much as possible. In addition to being sustainable, this adds flair to your business.

By growing your own Produce, you ensure that they are fresh and hand-picked daily.

It can be as simple as growing your own herbs. Growing your own herbs doesn’t take up much space, and you can do it vertically to save room.

Explore renewable energy sources for your food truck

It may have been before, but renewable energy technology has already become accessible in today’s world. Instead of opting for a Genset, you can explore the options for installing solar panels! In most cases where you won’t have access to energy, generators are your next bet.

Solar power is the cheapest and cheapest solution around. It is easy to maintain and install, and contrary to popular belief that it is expensive, let me tell you it is not.

Seasonal Menu

Exchanging some menu items that are not in season for readily available products is a conscious effort to reduce or eliminate transportation and storage costs for off-season products. As we all know, storage and transportation contribute enormously to greenhouse gases.

By focusing on seasonal ingredients, you guarantee your customers that everything is fresh. It also eliminates the need to store and freeze items in bulk.

Manage your waste

Conscious waste management efforts work mysteriously on your business. When buying stock, efforts to eliminate plastic consumption are a great way to incorporate sustainable practices as a food truck owner.

Efforts to separate all food waste into compost can make a more environmentally friendly food truck.

Greening your supply chain

Environmental awareness translates to increased profits. On the one hand, efficient logistics planning to get things in place can save fuel and transportation costs.

There is money to reduce the environmental impact of your business. The amount of savings you will get will reduce operating costs and increase profits.

The savings you can make sure of by providing a supply chain bring many benefits to your business. It’s as easy as reusing boxes to transport goods, designating a single supplier of seasonal merchandise, or mapping supply routes to take advantage of trips to suppliers. Whatever it is, the benefits go beyond the concept of sustainability.

What to do now?

Take the time to review all these points. See what works for you and what doesn’t work for you. The road to sustainability is a small step we take. Once you decide to commit to your sustainability path, the rest goes on.

Conclusion

Your responsibility as a food truck owner is not just to make people happy through your new food ideas. You are still responsible for managing your waste and striving to adopt sustainable solutions for your business.