WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association has received two Awards of Excellence in the 2010 Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). The National Restaurant Association’s ProStart career-building program and Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability environmental initiative are two of the 21 winners. The Association is the only organization to receive two awards in this second round of the AAA Awards, which received more than 100 entries. “We are honored to receive the Awards of Excellence and proud to support America’s nearly one million restaurants as they serve their guests, their...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—ClearWater Tech, LLC, a leading manufacturer of ozone systems for water and air purification, announced the addition of the recently designed CD12/AD corona discharge ozone generator to its line of wall-mounted ozone generators. Featuring dual ozone reaction chambers, the CD12/AD is engineered with an efficient built-in air dryer for the highest grams per hour and ozone concentration in a compact, air-cooled, self-contained package. To keep in line with our other popular Mini-Series products, the CD12/AD includes a regulated universal power supply, and user-friendly LED light operational status display. It versatile enough to be used in highly technical...

CHICAGO—Technomic, a leading fact-based research firm, recently released findings that outline an overwhelming response from consumers in regard to their green dining expectations. The survey reported consumers displaying strong feelings about how they value the verification of green claims. In addition, those consumers chose which type of certifier or recognizer is most trustworthy in providing green distinctions to restaurants. In the survey findings, 82 percent said they will decrease or stop going to a restaurant that is falsely claiming to be green. Ninety-four percent trust a restaurant’s green claims when they are verified by an organization as being true....

KENNER, LA.—Pellerin Milnor Corporation announces new laundry planning files for prospective customers for all industries, including healthcare, hospitality, athletics, rental, corrections, firefighter and architecture. These comprehensive and complimentary booklets are designed to assist in choosing the right machinery for any facilities’ laundry needs. The Laundry Planning Files include new Milnor installation success stories, washer-extractor capacities worksheets based on linen type, and general guidelines for setting up an on-premises laundry. Call (504) 712-7656 or e-mail mktg@milnor.com for a free laundry planning file. Go to Milnor.

PORTLAND, ORE.—LeanPath announces the introduction of WasteLOGGER, a software solution for food waste tracking that helps any restaurant, hotel, caterer, or foodservice operation prevent, minimize and avoid pre-consumer food waste (which includes overproduction, spoilage, expiration, trim waste). The software runs on existing computers and does not require specialized tracking equipment. WasteLOGGER was previewed at the 2010 National Restaurant Show in Chicago and will be available commercially this summer. Food waste management is a core element of any strategy for sustainable foodservice operations and represents a significant opportunity to enhance efficiency and save resources. “The EPA’s food waste management...

TROY, OHIO—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that ITW Food Equipment Group–North America (ITW FEG) has been honored with a 2010 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award. ITW FEG’s accomplishments were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. ITW FEG was the only commercial foodservice equipment manufacturer that received the 2010 Sustained Excellence award. ITW FEG, an Energy Star partner since 2008, was recognized for the third consecutive year for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency. With 455 Energy Star qualified units, Hobart, Traulsen, Stero, Vulcan, Wittco and Wolf are among the ITW FEG independent companies that support...

TROY, OHIO—For the fourth consecutive year, the Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability (HCFS) is awarding a $5,000 grant to the individual or company judged to have the best-executed foodservice or food retail sustainability project of the year. Submissions are currently being accepted, and the recipient will be announced at the 2010 Greenbuild Expo scheduled for November 16 to 19 in Chicago. “At a time when every dollar counts, the Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability is again able to offer an additional payback for the foodservice or food retail individual or company deemed to be a best practice leader,” said...

MIAMI—Mexico’s El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma has introduced the philosophy of using fresh, local and sustainable produce to the Riviera Maya. The resort’s 70,000-square-foot greenhouse facility now provides produce not only for El Dorado Royale, but also for its sister El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels throughout the region. The expansive greenhouse—the first resort greenhouse in the region—celebrated its first harvest in August 2009. Now in its fourth harvest, the greenhouse produces a variety of organic vegetables and herbs, including cucumbers, bell peppers, chilies, basil, cilantro, and mint, supplying produce for El Dorado Royale,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association has launched the pilot of Greener Restaurants—a new national program to recognize restaurants’ environmental sustainability efforts. A limited number of restaurants have signed on to participate in the pilot that will open to industrywide participation in the next few months. Greener Restaurants will show operators how to save money while “going greener” and share their successes with guests. “We listened to what our members have told us they wanted: a flexible, effective and affordable program to help them do the right thing for the planet and for their business, and worked closely with them...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart announced that the patent-pending Energy Star qualified AM Select Ventless warewasher is the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) Product of the Year for 2010. FCSI presented the award following a tally of votes gathered from professional consultants at its recent annual conference in Minneapolis. FCSI is a prominent, globally recognized organization of more than 1,400 members who design foodservice installations and specify a broad range of equipment ranging from commercial ovens and storage refrigerators to dishwashers and cleaning systems. At its annual conference FCSI members vote on the most innovative products among 10 finalists selected in the...