The Nature Conservancy is holding contests across the country to find the greenest restaurants. Which place would get your vote?
Flickr/bluefirehawke
The Nature Conservancy is looking for the greenest restaurants across the country. It's holding contests in 18 states – including Oregon and Idaho – to let people choose the winners.
What does a “green restaurant” look like to you? Does it serve grass-fed beef and free-range chicken? Does it serve meat at all? What about bottled water? Organic produce? Genetically modified food?
In Portland, I’ve eaten at restaurants that grow their own food on nearby farms or in rooftop gardens. I’ve had to separate my own compost from recycling and garbage after I’m through eating. I’ve read through entire pages of text explaining the eco-friendly history of the food options on the menu. And I’ve watched as nearby diners were denied ahi tuna at a sushi restaurant because, the chef said, “it’s not sustainable.”
Right now, The Nature Conservancy has 104 green restaurant nominations in Idaho and 54 in Oregon. The semi-finalists will be announced Oct. 1, and voting will proceed until Oct. 15. The winners will be announced Oct. 17.
According to Tracey Stone of the Nature Conservancy, the state chapters of her organization were allowed to opt into the contest. And Washington state opted out. So, I guess the folks in Washington might just have to vote for their favorite green restaurants in neighboring states.
While we await the nominees, tell me: What qualities do you look for in a green restaurant? Will you be dining at such a place this weekend?
-- Cassandra Profita
