Dietary Needs

• Ask if your guests have special dietary needs and clearly communicate special needs to your caterer.
• Order a wide variety to meet the diverse dietary needs of those who are more health-conscious. Information on how to choose healthier options for events can be found at The Georgia Tech Healthy Meeting Guide. 
• If your audience dominates a specific culture or religion, be sure to serve cuisine appropriate for them.  

Appropriate Food

• Planning a lunch meeting? Opt for an easy-to-eat, fortifying lunch that is pre-prepared. If the meal is to offer a reprieve from a day-long meeting, consider a more playful meal that allows guests to customize choices (i.e. sundae bar).  
• If coordinating a stand-up reception, steer clear of anything with bones, dipping sauces, shells, etc.
• Remember to assess your space and time constraints and order food that complements each.

Food Quantity

• Depending upon the nature of your event, you may have 5 to 15 percent attrition and can almost guarantee a few walk-ups. Discuss with your caterer the overage percent they prepare. 
• Ask for a tasting so you can see the portions of food. For example, if you are hosting a lunch buffet and the sandwiches are cut in half, it is likely that most guests may only take a half of a sandwich.
• Have you accounted for staff or volunteers who should also be fed? Be sure to include staff or volunteers in your meal count.

Green Forks

At Georgia Institute of Technology, we’re excited to launch GREEN FORKS—a collaborative initiative involving Tech Dining, Office of Sustainability, Campus Kitchens, and Student Life. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Share your catering leftovers by filling out our short form.
• Email alerts for food insecurity to students who are battling food insecurity.
• Join the battle against food insecurity and promote sustainability.

 Visit the Green Forks Website for more information.

You do not need to do anything to be a part of this program.  Our catering team will drop off instructions on how you can participate.  They will leave a card with a QR code at each event that you can scan and send out the alert.