FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Electrolux Professional introduces its air-o-speed combi oven—one of the first high speed combi ovens that combines convection, steam, combi (steam and convection) and “multi-wave” for a completely integrated cooking process. The patented “multi-wave” microwave technology combines with the other cooking modes to reduce cook time by 50 percent without sacrificing food quality, while also allowing for the use of metal pans, trays and grids. Cooking up to four times faster than conventional equipment, the air-o-speed can roast 24 frozen chickens in 30 minutes. With three simple cooking options: automatic, pre-programmed and manual, the air-o-speed can automatically cook up...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Avendra, one of the hospitality industry’s leading procurement services companies, continues to collaborate with suppliers to bring new products, ideas and expertise to customers. The most recent program, the Fresh Produce Road Show, proved to be a unique educational experience and an opportunity for Avendra and local produce suppliers to foster relationships with culinary teams at customer locations. For the pilot road show, Avendra partnered with Coastal Sunbelt Produce and its corporate chef, Martin Saylor, to visit customers in the Washington, D.C. area. With dozens of specialty and local produce items on display in a modified delivery truck, the...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp., a leading manufacturer and marketer of appliances, announced the release of the company’s first global, comprehensive sustainability report. The report provides an overview of the company’s efforts to make a sustainable difference in the world. The company also produces an annual report and, for the first time, is making a detailed Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) report publicly available, in addition to other required regulatory filings. These reports reflect the company’s commitment to openly communicating with its stakeholders about its economic, social and environmental performance. Whirlpool Corp. is a leader in developing high-performance appliances that help conserve the...

NEW YORK—The total number of exhibitors may have been less than previous years due to the economy and other factors but the number of vendors offering green products and services was stronger than ever at this year’s International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS). The event was held November 8 to 10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Visitors to the show found exhibitors featuring amenity bottles that biodegrade much faster than traditional plastic bottles; dispensers that eliminate amenity bottles altogether; a nonprofit that matches up hotels with other nonprofits to help eliminate food, toiletry...

EUGENE, ORE.—Sustainable Foodservice Consulting (SFC), publisher of www.sustainablefoodservice.com, announced the launch of its new blog, The Sustainable Shift Drink. The blog, accessible at www.sustainablefoodservice.com/blog, covers a variety of topics concerning sustainability in the foodservice industry, including local and organic food, energy efficiency, green foodservice products, innovative restaurants, industry trends, national news and more. The blog offers commentary on current issues, advice on foodservice operations, features guest writers and allows readers to post their comments. “There are literally thousands of food blogs out there and quite a few people writing about the foodservice industry, but this will be the only...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau, Inc. recently introduced the 55-pound capacity E-Series, a soft-mount washer-extractor engineered to reduce operating costs at on-premise laundries through decreased gas, water and electricity consumption. The E-Series line of high-speed, soft-mount washers previously included 20-, 30- and 40-pound capacity models. But, the market’s demand for a larger option spurred the addition of the new 55-pound capacity machine, according to Joel Jorgensen, Continental vice president of sales and customer services. “On-premise laundries demand high-speed, soft-mount washers in order to improve productivity using less labor and utilities,” Jorgensen said. “Continental’s 55-pound machine is just the next step in the...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. announced it has been named to the 2009/2010 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), an international stock portfolio that evaluates corporate performance using economic, environmental, and social criteria. This is the fifth year in a row that Whirlpool has been named to a Dow Jones Sustainability Index. “We are proud to be recognized by one of the world’s most comprehensive reviews of sustainable business practices for five consecutive years,” said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool Corporation’s chairman and CEO. “Our ability to be included on this Index stems from the efforts of Whirlpool employees. I am proud of...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes the Edro Corporation as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Edro washer-extractors are fitted with the company’s proprietary on-board DynOzone—DynaWash Ozone System. The machines reduce hot water requirements and shorten cycles to save on operating costs. Edro washer-extractors feature highly efficient motors and drives and state-of-the-art HMi touch screen controls. The company’s high efficiency tumbler dryers, available in capacities from 35 to 450 pounds, complete the laundering process. For additional information, call (800) 628-6434, e-mail aholaday@edrodynawash.com, or go to www.edrodynawash.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal Inc. announced that the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Food Services, GS-46, has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). First published in May 2009, GS-46 is based on real data on the environmental impacts of restaurants and food services including the impacts of food, energy and water use, and supplies. As a result, the GS-46 standard provides a comprehensive framework to guide operations on how to reduce their environmental impacts and is the basis for Green Seal Certification. GS-46 is the first Green Seal specification to be approved as an American National...

NEW YORK—Green Choice Vendors Distribution, a wholesale distributor of sustainable products and packaging for food service, announces the launch of their online store FoodBizSupply.com. FoodBizSupply.com offers a one stop shop for more than 300 biodegradable and compostable products made from natural renewable resources, like sugarcane bagasse, bamboo fiber and corn. Unlike Styrofoam and petro-based plastics, FoodBizSupply.com products are biodegradable with 70 percent being compostable. Their plant-based offerings combined with biodegradable polymers create products that help reduce the impact on the environment in absolute carbon footprint terms. FoodBizSupply.com products include straws, hot and cold cups, plates, bowls, trays, cutlery, take-out containers,...