In the food industry, wastage is common and often unalarming. However, at RK Group, we follow a zero-waste policy to ensure that every meal we serve on Indian trains like Vande Bharat and Rajdhani Express is respectfully consumed. RK Group is changing the face of sustainable and responsible Indian railway catering. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Zero-Waste Matters in Railway Catering
India’s railway network is massive, carrying millions of passengers daily across thousands of trains. With so many people travelling, the demand for railway e-catering is huge. But here’s the catch - feeding millions of passengers can create a ton of waste like leftover food, excess packaging, and single-use containers. At RK Group, we took on the challenge head-on. Our zero-waste vision promises to rethink how food is prepared, served, and managed in Indian railway catering.
Wastage in railway catering isn’t just about food scraps. It’s also about the environmental toll of discarded packaging and the resources used to produce meals that go uneaten. Our approach is simple: cut waste at every step, from the base kitchen to the passenger’s plate.
Smart Planning to Prevent Overproduction
One of the most significant ways RK Group reduces waste is through thoughtful meal planning. Overproducing food is a common issue in railway catering, as it’s tricky to predict precisely how many passengers will order meals on a train. At RK Group, we utilise data from our railway e-catering platform to track demand patterns. For example, we analyse which trains, routes, and times have higher meal orders and adjust our production requirements accordingly.
Turning Leftovers into Opportunities
Irrespective of having a comprehensive meal plan, in every train journey, a certain amount of food remains unused by passengers. What do we do with leftover food? We don't let it go to waste. We donate leftovers that are safe to consume to local NGOs and food banks close to large railway hubs. Such as stations like New Delhi and Chennai, where extra food is collected and packaged for distribution to needy communities. At RK Group, railway catering is not just about feeding passengers but also about uplifting communities.
Training Staff for a Zero-Waste Mindset
A vision like this doesn’t work without the right people. We believe in training our staff to embrace the zero-waste mindset. From chefs in the kitchen to service crews on trains, everyone is taught to think about waste reduction. Chefs are trained to respect and fully utilise every ingredient. Service staff play a significant role too. They’re encouraged to check with passengers before serving extra portions, ensuring no food is plated unnecessarily.
These practices might appear simple, but when you’re serving thousands of meals daily across the country, the smallest of actions add up to create a significant impact. RK Group’s training programs have created a culture where everyone is on board with the zero-waste goal.
Listening to Passengers for Better Efficiency
Passengers are at the heart of railway e-catering, and RK Group knows their feedback is key to cutting waste. Through online platforms, passengers can pre-order meals, which helps our team plan more accurately. If you’ve ever used railway e-catering, you know how easy it is to pick your meal ahead of time. We also listen to what passengers like and don’t like. If a dish isn’t popular, we swap it out for something else to avoid serving food items that won’t be consumed. This feedback loop keeps our menu fresh and waste low. It’s a win-win: passengers get the food they love, and RK Group keeps its zero-waste vision on track.
A Vision That’s Bigger Than the Tracks
RK Group’s zero-waste vision encompasses more than railway catering. It is part of our broader commitment to sustainability in all our services, from hotels to tourism. We believe in the power of business for people and the planet. By being eco-friendly and working with the community, we prove that Indian railway catering can usher in sustainable travel.
So, next time you travel on a train and place your order through railway e-catering, remember that you are part of a larger process. Thanks to RK Group, Indian railway catering is on the path to becoming sustainable. Here's to great food, greener journeys, and a zero-waste world!
For any enquiries, reach out to us at bhanu.verma@rkbusinessgroup.com.
