Green Plate Specials
When a single sector of the U.S. economy represents ten percent of America’s annual total, that’s an industry that wields a lot of clout and can help promote environmental accountability. That’s why all Forever Resorts food service operations participate in --- and are certified by --- the Green Restaurant Association.
Since 1990, the national non-profit Association has been helping restaurants and their customers become more environmentally sustainable in convenient and cost- effective ways. In the process, GRA has created the world’s largest database of environmental solutions for the folks who focus on pleasing people’s palates.
Restaurants and cafes in 30 states and Canada have to work to earn the little Green Restaurant window seal and it’s a worthwhile effort. “In a survey by the National Restaurant Association, 62 percent of consumers said they would be likely to choose a restaurant based on its environmental friendliness,” according to a Washington Post report.
“Our certifications are credible,” emphasizes GRA founder Michael Oshman who sometimes inspects member facilities or checks purchasing receipts for things like energy-efficient light bulbs --- an important consideration in an industry that accounts for 33 percent of all U.S. retail electricity use and is five times as energy-intensive as other retail businesses.
Other items on the check list include things like replacing all polystyrene foam products with biodegradable cups, agreeing to recycle as much as possible, and beginning to phase in other environmental measures, including conserving water, disposing of kitchen grease responsibly, and composting. Studies done for GRA’s book, Dining Green, show that on average every restaurant meal served produces 1.5 pounds of trash. “Half of that,” the GRA book reports, “is food waste that could be composted.”
By researching manufacturers, distributors, utilities, waste disposal and recycling companies, and others, the Association serves as a bridge to connect restaurants with environmentally-preferable products and services as well as offering environmental site assessments and cost- benefit analyses to demonstrate the economic advantages of being environmentally conscious.
One of Forever Resorts’ stand-out sites is Signal Mountain Lodge in Grand Teton National Park where their GRA- certified Peaks Restaurant serves up “an environmentally sustainable menu with regional specialties” as well as organic and all natural food choices at their Peaks Dining Room. “Belonging to the Green Restaurant Association family is another program partnership that helps us set and reach goals in our quest to be environmentally responsible,” said Chris Murdoch, Operations Manager.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• Follow the Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea food Watch Program by purchasing only sustainable fish and seafood. Pick up a complimentary seafood wallet card at our restaurant. For more information, please visit
www.seafoodwatch.org.
• Support your local coffee roasters by buying locally. Support your local agriculture by purchasing produce and locally prepared food
items at farmer markets. Support your local restaurants that support sustainable practices.
• Purchase organic produce, dairy, meat and other groceries whenever possible.
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