A Green Table

Occasions Caterers is committed to environmental and social responsibility in our day to day operations. We believe that we have an obligation to create events in a way which conserves natural resources and protects our environment. As part of our ongoing commitment, Occasions has collaborated with The Green Restaurant Association, a national environmental organization, to implement eco-friendly practices.  In 2008, we became a Certified Green Restaurant Caterer, and were recognized as the nation’s first catering company to achieve this certification. With Occasions, you can have exceptional, ecologically responsible events without sacrificing style.

Click below to learn how Occasions keeps it green:

Occasions partners with purveyors to use locally-sourced, organic, and sustainable products. The following cocktail party menu includes eco-friendly menu options:

Locally-grown Heirloom Tomatoes Two Ways
Organic Beef Tenderloin with Sauce Gribiche
Free-Range Chicken Salad with Radish and Grapefruit
Grilled Organic Fresh Figs with Acorn-fed Proscuitto and Varietal Basils
Chilled Red, Yellow and Orange Organic Carrot Soup Pousse-Café
Cucumber Cue-Ball with Organic Vodka
Fair trade coffee
Sustainable Seafood Station:
Line-caught Salmon Tartare, Local Rockfish Ceviche, Chilled Taylor Bay Scallop Salad
Please consult your Account Executive for seasonal eco-friendly menu items.
Availability may change.

THE GREEN TEAM:

Everyone at Occasions, from the waiters to the drivers to the CEO, contributes to increasing our efficiency and reducing our impact on the environment, in ways both big and small. We have completed the following changes to date:

~Recycle & Compost throughout our organization
~Do not use styrofoam
~Use low flow spray valves in the kitchen for water conservation
~Only use recycled & chlorine-free paper
~Use energy saving lightbulbs
~Use GRA-Endorsed Sterno Fuel
~Offer biodegradable disposables made with 100% pre-consumer waste recycled paper
~Print on 100% post-consumer recycled paper
~Work with printers who are dedicated to supporting the environment and use recycled and FSC certified paper, soy inks and eco-conscious printing processes
~Work with the U.S. Green Building Council
~Encourage employees and visitors to use the nearby Metro
~Recycle our used cooking oil
~Offer bulk options as an alternative to individual packages
~Educate clients and employees on ways to make an event eco-friendly

To see our current progress with The Green Restaurant Association, please click here. To learn more about The Green Restaurant Association visit www.dinegreen.com

GREEN YOUR EVENTS:

You can’t green every aspect of an event immediately; but you can get started by working on these suggestions:

~Incorporate organic, local, sustainable food and drink.
~Purchase and use local food, which supports community farms and avoids emissions from transportation.
~Create an Organic Bar with organic wine, mixers and spirits or a signature Eco-Cocktail made up of organic ingredients.
~Donate leftover flowers to nursing homes and other community institutions.
~Ask the florist to use pesticide-free, local or sustainable flowers.
~Think about reusing or reclaiming décor.
~Ask vendors to create linens and napkins from vintage fabrics so new materials are not used.
~Avoid single serving packets of water, condiments, sugars, etc. and serve in bulk.
~Provide water pitchers with glasses that will be reused instead of water bottles.
~Use biodegradable disposables for drop-off events.
~Think before you print. Try to send as much as you can digitally.
~Create eco- friendly invitations/menu cards using sustainable inks & dyes on recycled or biodegradable paper.
~Suggest venues that recycle and handle waste responsibly.
~Encourage vendors you are working with to source ecologically friendly products.
~Avoid extra deliveries to reduce driving time.