Sustainability at CATEX

CATEX opened its doors on Tuesday, 21st February, at the RDS Simmonscourt, and with more and more businesses in the sectors taking steps to decrease their carbon footprint, the theme of sustainability is high on the agenda.

HospitalityeNews is at CATEX where Peggy and Frank are welcoming visitors to Stand M13, alongside the Chefs Lounge.

Home to over 220 exhibitors, from Ireland’s biggest names in foodservice to artisan producers, the show is expected to attract 12,000 visitors from the foodservice, hospitality and catering sectors over three days.

A recent global survey conducted by Bord Bia reported 72% of trade buyers stated “it’s important to have suppliers with strong sustainability credentials”, with 71% of Irish consumers stating that “buying more sustainably produced products will become more important in the next three years”, confirming the importance of sustainability and changing mindsets within the industry. It reinforces Bord Bia’s findings that highlighted “operating with a conscience is the expectation, not the exception” as a critical issue facing foodservice in Ireland.

An early adopter in sourcing sustainable products, McCabe’s Coffee, based in Wicklow, was the first Irish coffee roaster to offer a collection service to recycle every bag of coffee it supplies to cafes, restaurants and businesses across Ireland. The used bags are fully recycled into watering cans, plant pots, pallets and park benches, with the company also now planting over 3,000 trees per year, making it the first carbon negative coffee roastery in Ireland.

CATEX exhibitor, Stephen McCabe, Managing Director of McCabe’s Coffee said, “Sustainability is at the forefront of our business as we strive to roast world-class coffee whilst minimising the negative impact on the planet for our generation and for the future generations to come.” 

Other exhibitors committed to serving up sustainable solutions and new innovative products include Frylite Solutions, whose used cooking oil collected is recycled into biofuels and the collection of food waste is processed to create biogas and biofertiliser.

Ille Service (Irl) Ltd are showcasing its Paper Jack dispensers which can reduce hand towel usage by up to 84 per cent, whilst Almotech’s digital signage and audio advertising solutions replace the need for unnecessary printing and allow companies to communicate with their customers in an interactive and engaging manner.

Love Struck Smoothies is a certified B-Corp, placing them among a group of businesses that have achieved the highest environmental and social standards to reduce impacts on people and the planet in their supply chain. They are at the Henderson Foodservice stand.

CATEX, an IFSA event supported by Bunzl McLaughlin and Calor, is playing host to a range of events over the three days from Chef Masterclasses to Industry Insights. CATEX is also home to the National Barista Championships, Irish Latte Art Championships, a NEW hospitality cost clinic, and features three days of sizzling competitions including the highly sought-after Chef Ireland Culinary Competitions.