Hobart Awards Sustainability Grant to Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory

The Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability has awarded a $5,000 grant to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh. This is the fifth year that the HCFS has awarded the grant, which recognizes a business or organization judged to have the best-executed foodservice sustainability project.

"It’s very encouraging to hear about sustainability projects taking place across North America in foodservice operations of K-12 schools, colleges and universities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and community and nonprofit organizations," said Rick Cartwright, v.p.- ITW Food Equipment Group and HCFS Fellow. "The thoroughness of Phipps’ foodservice sustainability program stood out as having a positive impact on its operations as well as the community at large." 

Since it was built in 1893, Phipps has evolved from the nation’s first teaching conservatory to a distinguished champion of environmental awareness. Its foodservice operations use permanent, not disposable, serviceware and biodegradable products, and its extensive recycling program includes composting of all pre- and post-consumer food waste.

The HCFS serves as a forum for foodservice directors, and their builders, designers and contractors to share new ideas and accomplishments in foodservice sustainability. Richard Piacentini, executive director at Phipps, will serve as an HCFS Fellow for 2012 and assist in selecting next year’s grant recipient.