Filipinos, being generally food lovers due to the diverse culinary culture in the country, are being challenged by the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature – Philippines on sustainable consumption and production. Currently working with the leading foodservice industry to provide sustainable dining, WWF-Philippines pioneered a project, “The Sustainable Diner: A Key Ingredient for Sustainable Tourism,” last September 2017.

The Diner’s Challenge: 9-Step Restaurant Guide to Sustainable Dining

With this program, Cebu City is one of the three cities, including Quezon City and Tagaytay City, chosen to become partner cities in committing to spearhead the sustainable dining initiative.

In line with #TheSustainableDiner project, WWF-Philippines released the 9-Step Restaurant Guide to Sustainable Dining. This is one of the platforms for Filipino diners to participate in making the local food service industry more sustainable and engage with government and food service stakeholders.

The Sustainable Diner’s 9-Step Restaurant Guide

Here is the 9-Step Restaurant Guide that you must try to participate and help with the project:

1) Dine in sustainable restaurants often.

A lot of local restaurants are now integrating sustainable practices into their operations. By choosing to dine with them, not only are you rewarding them for choosing to promote sustainability, but you are also encouraging others to join the movement.

2) Choose dishes made of ingredients that are in season.

Most restaurants offer special dishes to capitalize on ingredients that are in season. Try out these dishes! That way, you are able to help our local farmers and fisherfolk while enjoying the freshest produce our country has to offer.

3) Be adventurous! Try-plant based dishes.

Meat is a good source of protein. But meat production, especially beef, uses a huge amount of natural resources. There are a lot of delicious vegetable dishes out there, so why not explore? Your taste buds will definitely thank you!

4) Order only what you can finish.

Filipinos love food, pero ‘wag takaw tingin! By ordering only what we can consume, we help lessen food wastage. But if leftovers can’t be helped, do take them out and eat at home.

5) Ask about the dish and its ingredients.

Sustainability entails sourcing fresh produce locally. By asking questions, you are letting restaurants know that dishes made from ingredients sourced from our local farmers and fisherfolk are very much appreciated.

6) Don’t be afraid to request for modifications.

“Half rice lang po!” or “no straw please!” There’s no harm in trying to ask for order modifications. If possible, your servers would be more than happy to comply.

7) Bring your own reusable utensils.

Ayaw natin sa plastic! Avoid using plastic utensils, straws, and containers, which restaurants would most likely provide. Not only will you help save the environment, you are also helping restaurants achieve their own sustainability goals.

8) Segregate your waste properly.

Some restaurants and fast food chains would require diners to practice CLAYGO or Clean As You Go. When required, make sure you segregate your trash properly. It’s a great help for restaurants, who are conscious about how they manage waste.

9) Educate your friends about sustainable dining.

We Filipinos love to dine out. YOU have the power to influence and educate your friends and family through words and actions. Encourage them to follow your lead for a more sustainable Filipino dining scene!

If we gradually change how we think about food, our actions will really go a long way in saving the environment. Contribute to a more environment-friendly Philippines through your dining choices on consumption and production.

Become #TheSustainableDiner in your circles today and together, it is possible to #SustainOurAbility to grow food, produce food, and ensure food security for us and future generations of Filipinos.

ALSO READ: Cebu City, 2 other major cities, chosen as forerunners to sustainable Philippine food tourism

Should you wish to pledge interest in this program, you may contact the World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines (WWF-PH) at JBD Plaza, 65 Mindanao Avenue, Bagong Pag-asa, 1128 Quezon City. You can also call them through (+63 2) 920 7923/26.

To know more about the WWF-Philippines The Sustainable Diner Project, click here.

About the WWF-PH Food Tourism Program and Initiative

The Sustainable Diner project, under WWF-Philippines’ Sustainable Consumption and Production, is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.

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Note: CebuFinest.com was chosen by the World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines, along with other online media bloggers, and selected personnel and members of the City Government of Cebu to participate in The Sustainable Diner workshop event held last September 26, 2017, in Seda Vertis North Hotel, Quezon City.