“The topic of discussion for this event was environmental issues and concerns,” said Lucy Nuzzo, Metz & Associates, Ltd. Catering Manager at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. “The ladies spoke about the safety of our planet and what they could each do to help become more environmentally conscience. We were happy to help theme this tea with a beautiful green color-scheme and an environmentally-friendly and organic menu.”
As the ladies mingled, they snacked on tomato herb bread with olive ricotta spread, tea sandwiches, chocolate chip rugalach, ginger topped finger cookies, blueberry cheesecake bars and an assortment of herbal teas.
In other efforts to go green, Nuzzo said the Metz team has gone trayless in the dining hall to save on wasted food and cut down on the water and utilities associated with washing the trays. The Metz team at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh also went trayless to focus attention on the environment in honor of Earth Day.
“We encouraged participation in our trayless day by advertising it as - from all you can eat to all you can carry,” said Yvonne Phillips, Metz & Associates, Ltd. General Manager at Shady Side Academy. “We explained to students how going trayless would help eliminate waste, save on the energy needed to wash the trays, and also help them help them to reduce calories by not overeating.” The dining hall at Shady Side Academy was decorated with a palette of green to focus on the environment, from green balloons to large green plants.
Metz & Associates is also taking a pro-active approach to going greener through membership in organizations such as PA Preferred, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) and Pennsylvania Buy Fresh Buy Local, an organization that helps find local foods and support the farmers and lands that produce them. The company is also involved with the non-profit Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), a leader in waste reduction and recycling. The PRC is currently examining the Metz-managed dining program at Gateway Center in Pittsburgh, to evaluate it for possible composting. “They are taking the look at both the back of the house food waste and front of the house consumer waste to evaluate the amont and the ability to save for composting,” said Kathy Gonzalez, Med, RD, LDN, vice president of Nutrition Education Services, Metz & Associates, Ltd. “If they find that composting will be appropriate for Gateway, waste will be stored in large containers and a waste management company will provide pick up and delivery to a compost area.”
Metz & Associates is a company committed to being responsible environmental stewards of the earth’s resources through an array of green initiatives, including environmental consciousness, energy conservation and local purchasing. The company works together, with its clients and vendors, to focus on sustainability and educating and training employees in environmentally friendly practices for both home and work.
Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management to clients such as hospitals, assisted living & long-term care facilities, school districts and independent schools, colleges and universities and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570.675.8100.
