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Environment

Seeking to strengthen their bottom lines, increase the value of their business and minimize their impact on the environment, more restaurateurs are seeking out and incorporating sustainable practices into their food service operations.

From state and local energy and agricultural policies, to food waste and packaging restrictions, it is important for restaurant operators to understand the issues that impact the profitability of their business.

RAMW works with a number of businesses which can help you better understand these issues, help you build sustainability into your existing operations and provide food waste management solutions.

Washington Nationals & Levy Launch Food Recovery Program with Nourish Now

September 17, 2019
The Washington Nationals and hospitality partner Levy are proud to announce a new partnership with Nourish Now , a Maryland-based food recovery non-profit. Nourish Now will receive and distribute appropriate excess food items from Nationals Park’s concession stands, clubs, and suites. The comprehensive food recovery program will also include food from special events held at the ballpark throughout the year. The majority of the collected items will provide vital support to children, families, and veterans in Montgomery County. A portion of the donated food will be delivered to the...Read more

Eating Well with Less Waste

September 12, 2019
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association More sustainable packaging and less food waste headline DC discussion Top sustainability professionals from major restaurant companies came to DC, looking for answers to sustainability challenges. Attendees listen intently at this year's Sustainability Executive Study Group Conference Convening at the National Restaurant Association’s Sustainability Executive Study Group Conference on Sept. 11, their sessions focused on reducing back-of-the-house food waste, the latest packaging regulations, and making the business case for...

Trend Expert: Seafood Has Growth Opportunity On Menus

March 18, 2019
Consumers say they’d like to eat more fish and shellfish Nation's Restaurant News // by Bret Thorn Seafood’s presence on American menus is on the decline, but as more consumers try to consume less meat, opportunities abound for fish and shellfish to fill the gap, a menu trend expert told attendees of Seafood Expo North America in Boston on Sunday. Mark DiDomenico, director for client solutions at menu research firm Datassential, said total mentions of seafood on menus, as measured by his company’s MenuTrends menu monitoring service, had fallen by 4% over the past four...

Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) District Sustainability Awards 2019

March 4, 2019
The annual Sustainability Awards recognize outstanding businesses and organizations for their environmental stewardship, innovative best practices, pollution prevention, and resource conservation. If you are considering applying for an award, we recommend that you track the energy consumption, water usage, recycling, and "green projects" for your facility. If you live or work in the District of Columbia, you may nominate your favorite environmental champion, green business, or non-profit partner for a District Sustainability Award. You may choose to nominate an individual, business...Read more

Chefs Tap Zero-Waste Cooking As Sustainability Trend for 2019

January 14, 2019
More chefs are making dishes from scrap ingredients, as zero-waste cooking trends to No. 3 in the National Restaurant Association's "What's Hot" report. Day after day, Washington, DC’s Teaism would trash pounds of broccoli stems, trimmings from florets served in the fast-casual’s bento boxes. Eyeing the waste, co-owner Michelle Brown would demur to Chef Alison Swope: “It’s a shame we can’t do anything with all those stems.” Challenge accepted. Swope’s “Broccoli Tots” combine ground broccoli stems with goat cheese and...

7 Menu Trends That Took Off in 2018

December 19, 2018
Restaurant Business Online // by Patricia Cobe This year met expectations and delivered a few surprises on the plate. These seven trends were major players on restaurant menus. 1. Clean ingredients as table stakes Consumer demand for transparency has changed menu development and sourcing, and there’s no turning back. Fast-casual operators were pioneers in cleaning up ingredient lists, but in 2018, operators in every segment made menu transparency a priority. And suppliers responded, reformulating products with minimal processing and all-natural ingredient lists. “Free-from”...

Need Info On Straws and Packaging Mandates? We’ve Got Answers

December 14, 2018
National Restaurant Association // News & Research Nutrition legislation and packaging mandates appear to be the entrees du jour for 2019. As restaurateurs find themselves wondering what to do next to navigate these issues and their related challenges, the National Restaurant Association will offer education and advice during a Dec. 19 webinar, “ What’s new in environmental and nutrition policy ”. Laura Abshire, our food and sustainability policy director, will provide an update on the issues. They include: The latest information on the anti-plastic movement , part of...

Top Tips for A Waste Not Holiday

November 21, 2018
James Beard Foundation Bear Bites // by Maggie Borden Picture the platonic ideal of a Thanksgiving table: a mammoth turkey stands center stage, surrounded with a smorgasbord of sides, with a plethora of pies and sweets waiting in the wings. Unfortunately, unless you're feeding a small army, this tableau is destined to linger past the holiday meal, in the form of leftovers and food waste. So how to tackle the Turkey Day challenge of overabundance? We tasked the chefs who contributed to our latest cookbook, Waste Not: How to Get the Most from Your Food , to come up with tips for handling...

Mayor Bowser Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Florence

September 11, 2018
(WASHINGTON, DC) – As the District prepares for Hurricane Florence, Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a state of emergency, effective immediately. “While we are monitoring potential impacts of Hurricane Florence on the District, we remain committed to keeping our residents safe, prepared, and informed,” said Mayor Bowser. “I encourage all District residents and visitors to take this storm seriously and stay up to date on the latest emergency information, including signing up for our AlertDC messaging service.” The declaration of public emergency is effective...Read more

RAMMY CELEBRATIONS WHILE SAYING NO TO STRAWS & INITIATIVE #77

June 11, 2018
Founding Farmers joined the gathering of DC foodies last night at the RAMMYS Awards Gala held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center . Our team was on hand to mix up some of the city’s favorite cocktails , including our Cucumber Delight featuring our award-winning craft vodka , and celebrate our industry friends. We also helped spread the word about two timely and important industry causes: the latest sustainability effort we are leading, Our Last Straw , to eliminate the use of plastic straws across the DMV; and banding together with our restaurant-working colleagues to vote no...

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