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Thursday, November 6, 2008
How Green are You When You Dine Out?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
HELP RESTAURANTS GO GREEN: Did you know that eating locally produced foods helps the environment?
Photo: Bob Andres/AJC
Saturday, November 15, marks the date for the 3rd annual Field of Greens, an organic farm aid with proceeds to benefit local farmers and Slow Food Georgia.
The event takes place at Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm in Walnut Grove and some of the fun to expect includes chef demonstrations and tastings, a farmers’ market with local organic vegetables and flowers, an art fair featuring local artisans, gardening demonstrations and Information on local green energy and recycling from area green businesses. Plus, they’ll be plenty to do for the kids: pony rides, face painting and lots of arts and crafts. Tickets are $3, free for children under 12.
Though we have many local chefs and area businesses dedicated to the Slow Food movement, Georgia still has a long way to go when it comes to going green. I think about this all the time when I’m dining out, and it dawns on me how egregious the restaurant industry is for our environment. Many restaurants are making great strides to go green, and it’s not easy for them.
But what about the consumption end of things? What types of things can diners do to help restaurants go green?
Order tap water. Bottled water is tapping (pardon the pun) too deeply into our most precious natural resource, it costs too much in recycling (if the bottles are recycled) and the energy costs to ship (and the pollution that causes) are too high. Ditch it.
Reuse that napkin, paper or cloth. Have you ever seen a landfill?
And don’t take home a doggie “bag” — the packaging used is most likely not recyclable. Recommend that what you don’t eat be used to start a compost pile.
Support restaurants that procure locally grown products. Not only will you be eating healthier, tastier food, but you’ll be helping the environment by reducing fuel costs and emissions.
Help restaurants go green: check out tips at [Green Restaurant Association].(http://www.dinegreen.com/)
What green tips do you have for dining out?
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