For the first time ever, one of America’s cities, Asheville, North
Carolina, has earned the official designation of being a Green Dining
Destination™. This achievement means that locals, tourists, and
business people can dine at a plethora of Certified Green Restaurants®
throughout Asheville. This accomplishment was driven by the Green
Restaurant Association (GRA), Asheville Independent Restaurant
Association (AIR), and the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute (BRSI),
who formed a local Coalition to encourage more environmentally
sustainable practices within the city’s restaurants.
“The
Asheville area prides itself on a food culture that embraces fresh,
innovative cuisine that integrates product from local growers and
artisan food producers,” Asheville Convention Visitors Bureau
Executive Director Stephanie Brown noted. “The prestigious designation
of “Green Dining Destination” is an accomplishment that adds to
Asheville’s reputation as a distinctive culinary destination.”
All of Asheville’s Certified Green Restaurant®
have met the GRA’s rigorous certification standards by earning at least
100 GreenPoints™ in the categories of food, water, waste, energy,
chemicals, and disposables. Additionally, each Certified Green
Restaurant® has eliminated use of polystyrene foam, (aka StyroFoam™), and has implemented a full-scale recycling program.