A longtime Macon food business is trying to get to no-waste. How they’re doing it.

A Macon business that was started to get families back around the dinner table is trying to take their mission a step further and become a no-waste food company.

Acres & Oak Kitchen owners Erika and Evan Acres opened their business in 1993, and quickly realized their goals extend deeper than their initial mission, according to Danya Wadi, Acres & Oak Kitchen e-commerce director. The business offers ready-to-go entrees, sides, appetizers, and baked goods for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

“It’s supporting those you love with a warm meal, a little quality time, or whatever you need it to be,” she said. “Our inspiration for keeping the business growing and evolving is to continue this avenue of service, whenever and however it is needed.”

Wadi said part of being an “avenue of service” includes taking steps to become a no-waste food company.

Why Macon business wants to cut food waste

In 2022, the U.S. let a huge 38% of the 235 million tons in our food supply go unsold or uneaten, according to ReFED, a national nonprofit that seeks to identify inefficiencies in food supply chains to reduce food waste.

ReFED estimates that 33% of all food in the U.S. – 78 million tons – goes to these waste destinations which equates to almost 145 billion meals’ worth of food going unsold or uneaten each year.

Wadi said Acres & Oak Kitchen takes the rising issue of food waste seriously.

“It is so important to reduce our waste as much as possible to build towards a more sustainable future for our people and planet,” she said. “We are zealous in our goal to achieve as little waste and impact on our planet as possible, as well as support those in need around us. We feel those are the most important parts of attempting a no-waste model.”

How they’re doing it

Wadi explained that most products not sold before their “sell by” date are donated to local organizations designed to help less fortunate individuals. She said from entrees to desserts, Acres & Oak Kitchen tries to reduce as much wasted product and help as many people in the process as possible.

Wadi said in addition to food donations, the business has also implemented a strict ordering program to ensure it does not over order, and thus waste ingredients that weren’t needed. She said the program tells owners each week the exact quantities that they need to produce their specific items.

She said Acres & Oak Kitchen also packages all of its items in recyclable materials whenever possible to reduce packaging waste and be as economically friendly as possible.

Wadi said the business found an avenue to accomplish two things it was passionate about at the same time.

“Our company brand is based on supporting people and families in need and making life easier. This was just a beautiful way to live up to our values as well as ensure we do not waste product,” she said. “We are passionate about the opportunity to contribute to a bigger and better purpose than oneself, and lend a helping hand when it is called for.”

Wadi said people often use Acres & Oak Kitchen products as a way to serve the people in their lives, and believe that is its biggest asset to the Macon community.

“Acres & Oak Kitchen has opened the door to so many avenues to serve not only our local communities but those across the U.S. as well. It has been a vessel in which we have been able to care for and love so many humans well,” Wadi said. “Our neighbors, friends, families, strangers, and more are always being uplifted by this business’s work. It’s the ability to positively impact so many lives that makes us so passionate.”

Acres & Oak Kitchen is located at 4420 Forsyth Road, Suite 180 and can be reached at 478-757-0074.