Colorado caterers are cheering eco-friendly requirements for menus at events hosted by the Denver 2008 Host Committee during the Democratic National Convention - but some see them as a challenge.
A request for catering proposals for events sponsored by the Host Committee asks the following:
- No fried foods. - No individual plastic containers for liquids. - Reusable, recyclable or compostable plates. - Local or organic food, or both. - Food should in "at least three of the following five colors:red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white."
"Blue could be a challenge," joked Ed Janos, who owns Denver'sCook's Fresh Market. "All I can think of are blueberries."
Organizers' commitment to going green during the Aug. 25-28 convention is laudable, caterers agree.
"I think it's a great idea for our community and our environment. The question is, how practical is it?" said Nick Agro, owner of Whirled Peas Catering in Commerce City.
"We all want to source locally, but we're in Colorado," Agro said. "The growing season is short. It's dry here. And I question the feasibility of that."
Agro said using organic and local products will raise prices.
"There is going to be sticker shock when those bids start coming in," he said. "I'll cook anything, but I've had clients who have approached me about all-organic menus, and then they see the organic stuff pretty much doubles your price."
Parry Burnap, "greening" director for the nonprofit host committee, said the request involved months of work with caterers and will serve as a blueprint for making Denver a greener city long after the convention.
"We are hoping that everything we are doing for greening (the convention) has some legacy value," she said. "It takes some creativity because some of these things are more expensive."
Parry Burnap, "greening" director for the nonprofit host committee, said the request involved months of work with caterers and will serve as a blueprint for making Denver a greener city long after the convention.
"We are hoping that everything we are doing for greening (the convention) has some legacy value," she said. "It takes some creativity because some of these things are more expensive."
Convention composting is a process in the works, Burnap said.
"Maybe in 20 years, there will be better analysis for us to make better choices," she said. "One we are talking about now is,is it better to compost or to recycle?
"If you are using a cup for a beverage, is it better to be (plastic) and back in the materials stream, or compostable,biodegradable waste and go into the waste stream or compost? There are no definitive answers."
The host committee hopes to devise a carbon-footprint calculator that will measure the environmental impact of each event and suggest a fee that would go toward a carbon-offset fund.
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Well Pilgrims, I don't know about you but when I read this pap from the Nanny-State party, three thoughts come to mind--
1. Kerry & Edwards on their bus with their wives during the last election when they stopped at a Wendy's Hamburger Restaurant just to show how they can live like us ordinary folks. Problem was, a reporter got wind that when they reboarded the campaign bus, a "Chilled Lobster Tail Salad" catered by the local country club was served to each of these ring tailed phonies.
2. I visited Kansas City on business one year when the National Black Southern Baptist convention was in town. You coulda' fired a shotgun in any bar in the hotel and not hit a soul. But I happened to walk around the block and at the neighborhood package liquor store - the line went all the way out to the street! I reckon food-wise, that might happen in Denver! Imagine the lines into Morton's for steak and garlic potatoes. Or even McD's for a Big Mac and Fries.....
and #3. I am not surprised that the Democrat Party heads don't worry about the huge additional costs -- it ain't coming out of their pockets!! Bet on it! It's being paid for with your good ole' American tax dollars and ten and twenty dollars contributions from Mr & Mrs Little America!
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