CHICAGO—In addition to being the right thing to do for the environment, going green can also have financial benefits—something the nation’s nearly one million restaurant and foodservice outlets are increasingly exploring. The 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (May 16 to 19 at McCormick Place in Chicago) will provide attendees with both inspiration and concrete tools to increase sustainability efforts, which in turn can save on operating costs, increase productivity, motivate staff and attract eco-conscious diners. “Saving money and cutting costs are crucial aspects of running a business in this current economic environment, and going green can accomplish both,...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp., a leading home appliance manufacturer, has been recognized with the 2009 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award recognizes the company’s leadership in offering consumers appliance energy and water efficiency through its portfolio of brands. This is the company’s tenth Energy Star award and fourth consecutive Sustained Excellence win. Whirlpool Corp. will accept the award at ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2009. “Whirlpool Corporation is honored to again receive the Energy Star Sustained Excellence award,” said Mike...

KENNER, LA.—Pellerin Milnor’s V-Series washer-extractors, with 40-160 lb. (18-72 kg) capacities, now feature NEW RinSave™ water saver software that eliminates excessive rinse and intermediate extract steps. This innovative process allows a precise high G-Force to “sling” the wash liquor (including water, chemistry, and soil) out of the goods between the last wash step and following rinse cycle. Milnor’s V-Series washer-extractors with RinSave software conserve water use without compromising superior wash quality. RinSave water saver software replaces as many as two rinse steps and saves up to 10 minutes per load. No matter what capacity, Milnor’s V-Series washer-extractors with RinSave...

EUGENE, ORE.—Sustainable Foodservice Consulting has launched, www.sustainablefoodservice.com, a resource for food service owners and operators interested in adopting sustainable business practices. The website is a free resource promoting environmentally sound food service operations by providing practical information on energy-efficient kitchen equipment, green cleaning products, food waste management, links to private and public sector websites providing technical help, rebates and tax incentives, product information, and energy efficiency information. The “Tools” section offers energy efficiency calculators, energy tracking spreadsheets and a variety of forms and checklists to help implement sustainable business practices. Paul Kuck, the owner and founder of Sustainable Foodservice Consulting,...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Hobart introduces Cle, its next generation of durable and reliable conveyor warewashers. The Cle is more productive, more energy efficient and uses less space than most other conveyor warewashers in the industry. Incorporating the latest warewashing technology in one machine, the new CLe delivers clean and sanitized dishware at a lower cost. Hobart also now offers the new CLe blower dryer, which uses 76 percent less energy and 45 percent less space than prior models and is designed to operate with the warewasher as one CLe system. The new CLe Warewasher is Energy Star qualified by the U.S. Environmental...

SAN DIEGO—In an effort to support and enhance its local farming communities, Loews Coronado Bay Resort recently announced the introduction of “Farmers, Foragers and Fishermen,” a seasonal dinner series that allows guests to dine with the folks who produce, harvest and catch the ingredients they enjoy on a regular basis. “We believe today’s dining experience extends far beyond chefs and wineries,” said Ellen Burke Van Slyke, Loews Hotels’ corporate creative director of food and beverage. “It starts with the source—the farmer—and these dinners are designed to showcase them and their similar passion for sustainable practices.” Similar to a winemaker’s dinner, “Farmers,...

ATLANTA—Hotels now have a greener way to get their laundry clean thanks to new EnviroEdge Laundry Products from Zep Inc. The new line of earth-friendly products is specially formulated for superior cleaning using biodegradable ingredients that reduce environmental impact. “Today, everyone is concerned about protecting our environment,” says Robin Cantrell, director of marketing, Hospitality, Zep Inc. “Many consumers prefer the businesses they patronize to be environmentally friendly. Businesses that differentiate themselves by being eco-aware are able to build customer loyalty and create a competitive edge.” EnviroEdge Laundry Products use biodegradable surfactants and contain no harmful ingredients to contaminate groundwater. They also...

SAN DIEGO—In an effort to support and enhance its local farming communities, Loews Coronado Bay Resort announced the introduction of “Farmers, Foragers and Fishermen,” a seasonal dinner series that allows guests to dine with the folks who produce, harvest and catch the ingredients they enjoy on a regular basis. “We believe today’s dining experience extends far beyond chefs and wineries,” said Ellen Burke Van Slyke, Loews Hotels’ corporate creative director of food and beverage. “It starts with the source—the farmer—and these dinners are designed to showcase them and their similar passion for sustainable practices.” Similar to a winemaker’s dinner, “Farmers, Foragers...

RIPON, WISC.—UniMac, a leader in manufacturing commercial laundry equipment, recently added a finance component—UniMac Funding—to its list of customer services. “Customers can expect a tailored approach to financing with UniMac Funding,” said Kim Shady, vice president of distributor sales for UniMac. “As a leader in this market, we understand the unique challenges facing managers of on-premises laundries as well as those facing general managers of the properties they serve. We created UniMac Funding to help meet their specific needs.” Clients will have a single point of contact for financing questions, which will allow for more personalized service. In addition, a...

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Assn. announced the recipients of its prestigious Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award for 2009. This year’s awardees will give the restaurant and hospitality industry new, state-of-the-art solutions to enhancing productivity, saving energy and water, speeding up prep and cooking times, and maximizing space and functionality in the back-of-the-house. All the KI products will be showcased in an interactive demonstration area at the 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show at Chicago’s McCormick Place, May 16 to 19. “Cost-saving, fast, multi-functional, flexible, efficient—these are all adjectives we look for when choosing new equipment and they describe each of this...