Project Green Fork Promotes Sustainability in Memphis Restaurants and Venues

Reharvest Memphis - Thursday, nOV. 16

Don't miss Project Greenfork's upcoming event to raise awareness of sustainability efforts to reduce food waste in Memphis.

This unique, immersive event will highlight the delicious connections between sustainability and food, with local chefs from PGF-certified restaurants preparing creative, surprising hors d’oeuvres using surplus ingredients gleaned from grocery stores.

Attendees will mingle with the chefs and sample top-notch restaurant fare made from ingredients that might otherwise go unsold and uneaten. They will also be treated to complimentary beer, wine, and a signature cocktail and mocktail.

PGF-Certified Restaurants Aim to Reduce Waste

There are nearly 40 Memphis restaurants that are Project Green Fork certified. These are restaurants taking the extra step to do some good and who deserve your support for doing so.

Project Green Fork was founded based on the findings of national studies that indicate ~1.5 pounds of trash are produced for every meal served at a restaurant meaning a restaurant could produce up to 50,000 pounds of garbage a year. 

A lot of that garage could be easily recycled or composted.

To be PGF certified, restaurants must meet six sustainable steps:
 

1. Use and source sustainable products
2. Take steps to reduce unused food inventory
3. Reduce the use of toxic cleaners
4. Take steps to reduce and reuse vital energy and water
5. Connect with local agencies to donate food that wasn’t used
6. Properly maintain grease traps and kitchen hoods

We know it’s hard out there for local restaurants so to the places making the extra effort to practice good habits - we applaud you!

Working to Eliminate Waste in Event Spaces

In addition to mitigating surplus and wasted food in restaurants, PGF and Memphis Tourism have pledged to promote sustainability in local event spaces. Providing food to those in need instead of deleterious waste habits is the ultimate goal. This ecotourism initiative is made possible through a training program that uses Careit-- a food donation and rescue platform for businesses to directly donate surplus foods to local nonprofits. 

Leann Edwards, Project Green Fork Program Manager stated, “By training these spaces on food waste reduction strategies, we’re creating a culture of reducing the environmental impact of food waste, while also addressing food insecurity in the community.”

Project Green Fork-certified Establishments and Members

FOLLOW PROJECT GREEN FORK:

https://www.projectgreenfork.org
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Donate here to further Project Green Fork's mission.