I was just reading about an organization that sounds very interesting-it is called the Green Table Network. Apparently it is a certification program for restaurants and bars which is based on a program in
San Francisco
which helps these establishments operate more sustainably through “redesign, retraining, rethinking and recycling”. Issues addressed can include not only the obvious bottle recycling (apparently West restaurant alone produces 2-300 empty wine bottles per week plus its beer and liquor bottles!) but also energy and water use, product origination, and other waste matter recycling. The program also encourages using local products/ingredients wherever possible. Given one of my friends once told me that the only tattoo he could ever see me getting is a Canadian flag on my ass, I am definitely a big supporter of the buy local concept!
It looks like a lot of restaurants have signed on to the 6 month pilot project and more are expected to sign on in May when it is fully implemented. Some of my own favorites include : Terra Breads, Wild Rice,
Aurora
, and Elixir. The Green Table website likely a comprehensive list. Check it out at www.greentable.net