TIES THAT MATTER

My dear friend started a fabulous business recycling ties and employing refugees to make cool totes and pillows. I think this is a wonderful company! Check it out:

Ties That Mater is an Atlanta based company that uses recycled neckties to make tote, travel and computer bags. They train refugee and near homeless women to do the sewing, thus creating jobs for people in need. In addition, they donate proceeds to support services for the homeless.

Finding people to donate neckties is critical to making this work. If you know companies that are willing to sponsor a "Toss Your Tie" campaign, please reach out to Laura.

Ties That Matter will provide posters and flyers and collection bins and will pick up the collected ties. In addition, they will come to any group and talk about what we do and our passion for combining our environmental and social causes.

If you want to take part, contact Laura.

ATLANTA'S FIRST LEED CERTIFIED RESTAURANT: PIZZA FUSION

As we all know, restaurants are top consumers of electricity and top producers of waste. That is why it is SO EXCITING when a restaurant takes initiative to become more energy efficient, like Pizza Fusion-Atlanta did with their recent LEED Certification.

If you haven't visited the Atlanta location, I recommend checking it out. In addition to organic food, the restaurant features numerous sustainable features like very cool tables made from reclaimed wood, beautiful countertops made from recycled glass and concrete, insulation made from recycled jeans, low voltage, low heat lighting and more.

This marks the fifth Pizza Fusion location nationally to receive LEED certification and it's the first LEED certified restaurant for Atlanta. Way to go!

ALFI FRUIT TREE SALE!!

Growing your own food can be fun and decorative.
Join the Atlanta Local Food Initiative
in promoting edible landscapes.
This Saturday the first annual fruit tree sale will happen at the Atlanta Community Foodbank.

This event features 32 varieties of fruit trees, berry bushes and vines that are adaptable to our local landscape and climate. To see more details including a link to all of the available varieties, click here.

DOUBLETREE HOTEL CONSERVES WATER & SAVES $$

In July the Doubletree Hotel ~ Atlanta Buckhead invested in a plumbing project to recycle their refrigeration compressor cooling water. The under $9,000 investment paid back in two weeks from reduced water bills! By year end, the Doubletree estimates the project will save 1 million gallons of water.

Previously this water-cooled system sent the used water down the drain. Always striving to improve environmental efficiencies, General Manager David Rossman and his team installed a dedicated re-circulation loop for the walk-in coolers which streamed the water back into the existing cooling tower.

In addition, the City of Atlanta is crediting the hotel 2.3 cents for every gallon of water that is safely reused! What a way to reduce the burden on the fragile water and sewer system in our city.

Check out these impresssive ROI numbers:

In the first three months since the work was completed, the Doubletree Atlanta-Buckhead saved 695,334 gallons of water and $15,993 in water/sewer expense.


Average Reduction:

August '07/'08: 222 gallons
August '09: 192 gallons

September '07/'08: 202 gallons
Septemper '09: 128 gallons

October '07/'08: 184 gallons
October '08: 140 gallons

Average '07/'08: 202 gallons
Average '09: 151 gallons

Average savings of 51 gallons of water per occupied room monthly!

NBC FEATURES GOT GREEN KITS

Jerry Thomas, CEO & Founder of Got Green Kits and Enviroclean USA, had his live television debut November 15 on NBC’s Atlanta Today Show. As a GFA member, Jerry serves on the Cleaning & Pest Control Committee, and is a strong contributor to creating practices for a toxic-free foodservice establishment.

GFA HONORED WITH GRACE INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

On November 15 Holly Elmore, GFA founder and Executive Director, received the Innovator of the Year Award at the 2009 GRACE Awards. Chris Coan with Gas South, a GFA Sapling Sponsor, presented the award at the sold-out gala. What a tremendous honor!

In her acceptance speech, Holly thanked Ron Wolf, Georgia Restaurant Association CEO, for his vision and support to recognized the GFA as an affiliate of the GRA effective August, 2008. Click here for the acceptance speech video and to hear about the others who contributed to the GFA's success. ('Enter Site' and click video 1.)

Restaurant Forum magazine dedicates its entire November issue to the GRACE Awards, with a page discussing to the Innovator of the Year.

The best part of the award is the current GFA projects are the low-hanging fruit and we are only beginning our journey … Stay Tuned!!

LEN FOOTE HIKE INN GOES GREENER WITH SOLAR PANELS

Assessable via a five-mile mountain trail from the top of Amicalola Fall in North Georgia, Len Foote Inn has always used sustainable practices. This summer the Inn partnered with GFA member Soenso Energy to include a solar panel on the roof. Now hikers take hot showers with solar-heated water at the end of a long day!

In addition to the solar panels, (pictured right), Len Foote Hike Inn has composting toilets and worm beds for left over food.

Walk your talk ~ travel to North Georgia and hike into Len Foote Hike Inn for a sustainable way to enjoy the fall color season.

WHOLESOME WAVE LAUNCHES GEORGIA CHAPTER

The East Atlanta Village Farmers Market is excited to announce the launch of Wholesome Wave Georgia. Wholesome Wave is a national foundation whose mission is to "encourage and support increased production, availability and access to fresh, healthy and affordable locally grown food for the benefit of all".

Visit the Wholesome Wave website to learn more about their Double Value Coupon Program to aid families on assistance. Last spring the Washington Post ran an article on the Wholesome Wave program as well.

CROWN PLAZA RAVINIA RECEIVES GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION

GFA member and ZWZ~Perimeter Atlanta Champion, Crown Plaza Ravinia is the first hotel in Georgia to receive the prestigious Green Globe Certification. Congrats to the Crown Plaza team for your outstanding commitment to making a difference.

Certification requirements include Green Meetings, linen reuse program, low-flow showerheads and sink faucets in all guestrooms, and biodegradable cleaning chemicals. Energy efficient lighting was installed in 2008 in all public space, with guestrooms currently on schedule to be converted. The hotel donates partially used guestroom amenities, discarded linen and furniture to local charity organizations.

For more information on Crown Plaza Ravinia’s impressive designation, read the article on the Reuters’ website.

City of Atlanta Launches Recycling Incentive Program

The City of Atlanta, in partnership with Rehrig Pacific, a container company and service provider, along with sponsor Coca-Cola Enterprises, announce the launch of an exciting new recycling rewards pilot program coming to Atlanta residents, powered by RecycleBank. Check it out.

The program, called ReCART (Rewards for Collecting All Recyclables Together) Curbside Recycling Pilot Project, is already a success in twenty-one states and in the United Kingdom, the new recycling rewards program allows households to earn points redeemable at local and national retailers in exchange for recycling

Hurray for Atlanta! Keep moving forward towards sustainability.

GFA Gets a New Fall Look!

Thanks to the talented Lee Thompson of Thompson Creative, the GFA starts the Fall with a new logo and an autumn web design. Check out the revamped navigation to give visitors a more user-friendly experience.

Floods Devastate Canoe & Love is Love Farm

Last week the Chattahoochee River filled Canoe with over eight feet of water in the first floor. During the repairs and rebuilding period over the next weeks, Chef Carvel Gould asks for the industry’s support in hiring her front and back of the house employees for available part-time work.

Building a successful farming operation is a tremendous endeavor and it is devastating when the entire farm is engulfed in flood waters. Judith Winfrey and Joe Reynolds lost their entire fall crop and the irrigation system was destroyed in floods earlier this month.

It is important to show our support of farmers like Judith and Joe of Love is Love Farm and I ask for the GFA community rally with prayers and dollars. Visit the Slow Food site (link to ATL Slow Food site) to learn how donations may be made to help Judith and Joe rebuild the farm and lives. See the below blog post for a fund-raising dinner.

Woodfire Grill Hosts Wine Dinner to Benefit Love is Love Farm

Farm-to-Table Restaurant Creates October 11 Fundraiser to Repair Local Farm’s Flood Damage

Woodfire Grill, one of Atlanta’s favorite farm-to-table restaurant, is hosting a fundraiser for Love is Love Farm on Sunday, October 11, to help the beloved local farm recover from the flash floods that occurred early last week. Love is Love sustained severe flood damage from the heavy rains in the Atlanta-area and must now rebuild their entire establishment, which is located in Douglasville, Georgia. The fundraising event will feature a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. followed by a seated dinner at 6:30 p.m. that includes a four-course menu with wine pairings for $100 per person. All proceeds from the event will benefit Love is Love Farm.

“We are strong supporters of Love is Love Farm’s mission to provide local, organic products and we get a large portion of our produce from their farm, so it is our goal to raise $10,000 to help get them up and running again,” says Woodfire Grill Co-Owner Bernard Moussa.

As The New York Times reported on September 23, Love is Love Farm Operator Joe Reynolds said the flood “could have a crippling toll on his small-scale farm.” His irrigation system was destroyed and two-thirds of his land was submerged, leaving his fall harvest deep under water. The farm is now looking at repair costs of $8,000.

Woodfire Grill is no stranger to supporting Love is Love Farm. Just prior to the flooding, the restaurant’s Executive Chef/Co-Owner Kevin Gillespie participated in the “Outstanding in the Field” farm dinner as a guest chef at Love is Love on Saturday, September 19. This event brings together local farmers, chefs and winemakers to feast on gifts of the land and explore the connection between the earth and the food on our plates.

Gillespie will also create the special menu for the fundraiser, and wines to complement his cuisine will be chosen by the restaurant’s Co-Owner Nicolas Quinones, who also serves as the Woodfire Grill’s wine director. During the event, guests will also have the opportunity to donate additional funds directly to Love is Love Farm to help with the reconstruction process. Reservations for the fundraiser are required, and guests must call 404-347-9566 to reserve a spot.

Operated by Joe Reynolds and Judith Winfrey, Love is Love Farm focuses on heirloom and endangered vegetable varieties, and employs soil-based agricultural practices, such as continuous crop-rotation, cover cropping and labor-intensive hand weeding to cultivate the best and healthiest vegetables. All fertility and soil amendments are composed of natural sources.

Reynolds and Winfrey believe that a direct relationship with customers and transparent growing practices are the most assured ways to preserve the safety of our food supply and protect our community as well as the environment. Love is Love Farm is located at 3260 Highway 166 in Douglasville, Georgia. For more information, call 678-485-4941 or visit http://www.loveislovefarm.com/.

Woodfire Grill is located at 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road and serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday. For more information or to make reservations, call 404-347-9566 or visit http://www.woodfiregrill.com/.

EVOS OPENS IN SANDY SPRINGS

Thanks to concepts like EVOS, getting a fast meal can be healthy, fresh and fun! Andy Cuppia opened his first restaurant, EVOS in June to rave reviews. Within a week of opening a friend wrote to tell me about this exciting new Sandy Springs restaurant with wonderful food. Another source tells me the French fries are phenomenal! (Note they are not fried, so indulge with a clean conscious)

On a more personal side, Andy is a class act sort of guy who decided to venture into the restaurant industry after a career in the financial arena. Andy joined the GFA as a Seed Sponsor once the restaurant was under construction.

EVOS is located in the Prado Shopping Center on Roswell Road just inside the Perimeter. Join the GFA in supporting EVOS by visiting his restaurant for a delicious, fast and healthy meal.

Here is some more info from the pr firm, Melissa Libby & Associates:

EVOS® is a fresh, modern eatery with an eclectic blend of tasty, flavorful fast food made with high quality, natural ingredients and no deep-fryer grease, leaving customers feeling healthy, full and refreshed. As America’s first healthier fast food chain serving up full flavor and only half the fat, EVOS is fast food evolved.

WATERHAVEN OPENS IN MIDTOWN

Atlanta was a lucky city last month ~ restaurant veteran Joe McCarthy opened Waterhaven in Midtown! Along with Chef Chris Lee, Joe created a haven for local, sustainable and phenomenal cuisine. At the inaugural Chef’s Strictly Social gathering on July 1 Chef Lee impressed the guests with his ingenuity and culinary talent.

GFA member Waterhaven is committed to sustainable practices and works with area farmers to ensure the menu is infused with local ingredients.

Waterhaven is located at 75 5th Street in Midtown. Join the GFA in supporting Waterhaven by visiting the restaurant for a phenomenal dining experience.

Here is some copy provided by the pr firm, Melissa Libby & Associates:

Located within Midtown’s Technology Square, WaterHaven Restaurant offers a welcoming retreat from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta’s urban activity. The seasonally-inspired eatery features contemporary American fare that highlights local farms and purveyors.

YIKES ~ A GREEN BEAN-COUNTER IS ON THE LOOSE!

On June 8 the Atlanta Journal & Constitution ran an article on the GFA featuring founder Holly Elmore. Journalist NedraRhone weaves the story of the GFA formation with Elmore's eclectic career path. The article includes a picture of Doubletree Hotel ~ Buckhead Executive Chef David Edwards preparing food residuals for composting.

Help is on the way! The article emphasized Elmore is the only GFA staff member and many contacted the GFA offering to volunteer.

Ecco in the news … again!!

How fun to read the June issue of Atlanta Magazine and see GFA Supporter Ecco featured for their eco-conscious practices. Each month the energywise section sponsored by Gas South features a restaurant that walks the talk. Thanks to Ecco for the GFA mention and including their first GFA Green Certified Restaurant status. Check out the fantastic article in hard copy.

Atlanta Chefs Visit Sweet Grass Dairy

Wow ~ what a fun way to spend the day! Twenty prominent Atlanta chefs, several journalists and GFA Producer Task Force members journeyed via a “green” bus to Sweet Grass Dairy in Thomasville on Monday, May 4. The day was spent learning about farm life, making cheese (hands on!!), enjoying a phenomenal meal of local foods paired with Atlanta Brewing Company Beer and Bench Break Vineyard wine and meeting the goats.

Jessica and Jeremy Little were the perfect hosts and offered us an inside view of their life producing award winning cheeses.

A big thank you to Sysco and Royal Cup Coffee for sponsoring the bus cost, Buckhead Beef for the dinner upon return to Atlanta and Kroger for the snacks along the way. Hal Freeman was the gem who picked up the donated beer, wine and other items to make the trip a huge success.

The bus trip home … we are sworn to secrecy of the events! Hint: we ran out of our ample beer supply and the laughter was contagious.

Holly Elmore & Jessica Little

Photo by: Todd Mussman

Curtis Hicks, Kevin Rathbun & Carvel Gould

Photo by: Todd Mussman

Micah Willix

Photo by: Suzanne Welander

maurgood RECOGNIZED THIRD YEAR IN A ROW

Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report, designed and produced by sustainability and brand communications agency maurgood, has won the award for “Creativity In Communications” and 1st runner-up for Best Report from Corporateregister.com, a global, independent, online awards for CR reporting. The Maurgood team has worked alongside Coca-Enterprises’ Public Affairs and Communications office since 2003.

Congratulations to GFA sponsor Maurgood!!!

GFA Members Work Together for a Solution

White Oak Pastures is a grassfed beef ranch in Bluffton, GA with the state's first artisan processing plant on-site. The beef production process was filled with inefficiencies due to their water heater's inability to keep a consistent supply of hot water to clean the processing areas. Hannah Solar came to the rescue and installed a Solar Thermal Collection system that supplies ample hot water during peak afternoon production.

Hannah Solar Panels @ White Oak Pastures

The solution had an upfront $40,000 cost, which qualified for federal and state grants and bonus and standard depreciation. With these deductions, the net cost to White Oak Pastures was roughly $6,500. Payback is expected in the first year due to lower utility costs and labor savings.

How wonderful to report that installing eco-friendly energy solutions can end up saving money in the second year of operations!