Over the last six months, nonprofit organizations green|spaces and Eat REAL have partnered together to improve nutrition and sustainability practices in restaurants throughout the Chattanooga area. 10 restaurant locations were brought through Eat REAL’s REAL Certification and have begun green|spaces’ green|light certification.
Kelley Cureton, green|light program director said, “Historically focused on office and retail settings, we at green|spaces are thrilled to partner with Eat REAL and expand into the foodservice industry with the green|light Program. Restaurants have an enormous and approachable opportunity to minimize their impacts and we are proud to help guide their way and influence the entire industry.”
The following restaurants have achieved Eat REAL Certification through this collaboration:
· Lupi’s Pizza (all locations)
· Hummingbird Pastaria
· Naked Foods
· Vibrant Meals
· Frothy Monkey
· 1885 Grill
Participating restaurants in the process of becoming green|light Certified are:
· Tremont Tavern
· Parkway Pourhouse
· Feed Table and Tavern
· Lupi’s Pizza (all locations)
· Hummingbird Pastaria
· Naked Foods
· Vibrant Meals
· Frothy Monkey
· 1885 Grill
The highly-coveted Eat REAL certification has been achieved by over 500 restaurant and foodservice providers. Utilizing a points-based audit, third-party registered dieticians evaluate establishments through interviews and menu, supply chain and operations analysis. Those that earn sufficient points in the areas of Responsible (nutrition), Epicurean (preparation), Agricultural (sourcing) and Leadership (environmental stewardship and other best practices) are able to become REAL Certified.
The green|light certification takes a holistic approach to improving business operations and is customized for each participant in order to identify and achieve industry-specific sustainability goals across nine categories. Each restaurant pursuing green|light Certification is audited to update and improve policies and procedures in employee wellness, materials purchasing, cleaning products and methods, energy and water efficiencies, waste reduction, catering operations, and community outreach. By addressing social and environmental impacts, the green|light Certification aims to improve employee attraction and retention, create a stronger public image for locals and visitors, and provide cost savings to align businesses as environmental and community stewards.
“Chattanooga is a city rich in local food culture and community, “ said Eat REAL project manager Nikkole Turner. “These establishments are helping shift the foodservice environment to a more healthful and sustainable model.”
The Eat REAL and green|light Certifications together create a comprehensive change path for foodservice providers to do better for both their guests and the planet. They provide a rigorous assessment and verification that encourages foodservice operations to raise the bar in sustainable nutrition, agricultural and environmental practices.