SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality has added the Buffet Burner Electric Chafing Dish Heater to its lineup of profit-enhancing products. Created and patented by Intracoastal Innovations, the Buffet Burner provides a safe, environmentally responsible alternative to costly, open-flame canned fuels used to maintain food temperature in hospitality kitchens, buffets, serving lines and banquets. Food and Beverage Managers will never have to worry about running out of canned fuel, or have to deal with the waste that comes from throwing out used fuel containers with the Buffet Burner. With this added convenience comes big savings, as the Buffet Burner is...

MIAMISBURG, OHIO—FreshMarx, a leader in automated date coding and the supplier of Monarch products and services, announced the release of its FreshMarx XL®PRO 29FFS three line labeler and supply system for improved efficiency and waste reduction. With the release of the FreshMarxTM XL® PRO 29FFS three line labeler and supply system, restaurant owners and food service managers will be able to reduce the amount of labeling stock and labelers they keep on hand, while improving the accuracy of their date coding systems. “XL PRO does the date coding work of seven different labels all with one labeling...

SEATTLE—Impex Development LLC and Whirlpool Corp. have formed a marketing partnership to provide distinctive and sustainable interiors based on realistic price points for the hospitality industry. The partnership will incorporate energy-efficient appliances from Whirlpool Corp. within Impex’s manufacture of eco-friendly kitchens, baths and architectural door systems. “Both companies are passionate about making it easier for hospitality and multifamily professionals to create exceptional, eco-friendly environments,” says Jeff Smitley, LEED AP, president of Energy & Environmental Solutions. “Interiors from Impex help contribute points toward the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system and the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes rating...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Neifer Installations (1968) Ltd., Coquitlam, British Columbia, as a Green Product Directory Partner. In Canada, Neifer sells DynOzone, the only washer/extractor with an integrated ozone system. DynOzone enables hoteliers to save on hot water, chemicals, drying time and water usage. Ozone also sanitizes and disinfects without harsh chemicals. Because the ozone is integrated, there are no additional connections or floor space needed. Call (604) 516-6030, go to www.neifer.com, or e-mail neifer@shaw.ca for information.

In one of my previous working lives I worked for a well-known pizza chain for about six months—as a waiter and delivery driver. One of my most vivid memories from that time is the volume of waste that was generated. Each night I would haul garbage bags full of unused pizza dough to the dumpster. In the hot weather it was quite a site—a huge container full of sticky, yeast-smelling dough just waiting to grow into something resembling the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. For all of those out there with restaurants, I hope you are doing a better...

EAST BERLIN, CONN.—EDRO Corp. announces the availability of the world’s first fully integrated ozone powered soft mount washer-extractor line. The products are ideal for hoteliers interested in reducing water and natural gas consumption. Savings are possible because of the built-in DynOzone—DynaWash® Ozone System feature that allows for laundry to be washed primarily in cold water. The soft mount machines can be installed without the need of a foundation and can be therefore used in upper floor locations. These super high G-force washer-extractors are available in 60-, 110-, 175-, 225-, 350- and 450-pound loading capacities. For 60 years,...

CHICAGO—Yes, there was a Green Restaurant Products Pavilion and an Organic & Natural Pavilion but finding other green exhibitors among the more than 2,100 vendors at the National Restaurant Assn. Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show last weekend was more of a challenge. They most definitely were there but one had to look closely to find them. The good news is that those green vendors that were there had some exciting new products to talk about. Here is a list of some of them: EATware International introduced its line of 100 percent biodegradable disposable tableware. Their compostable products are made from corn starches...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Assn. (NRA) announced that it is forming a new board of directors task force to take the lead on implementing the association’s recently launched environmental initiative and encourage the nation’s 935,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets to adopt practices that are good for both business and the environment. The Green Task Force is being created at the association’s board meeting and trade show in Chicago, and will be chaired by Niki Leondakis, chief operating officer of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. The association launched its environmental initiative in the summer of 2006, and received a grant...

NATIONAL REPORT—If you are looking to reduce water consumption in your kitchen and still have not implemented pre-rinse spray valves that conform to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), now is the time to do so. Thanks to EPAct 2005, all spray valves sold today must have a flow rate of not more than 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) at 60 pounds per square inch (psi). According to Phil Germinario, director of marketing, sales and customer service for Niagara Conservation, Cedar Knolls, N.J., there was a time when these valves used 3 to 6 gpm. “If you switch from...

LAS VEGAS, CHICAGO—The HD 2007 Expo & Conference, to be held in Las Vegas at the Sands Convention Center from May 9-12, and the National Restaurant Association Show, to be held in Chicago at McCormick Place from May 19-22, will both feature myriad green events for attendees—everything from a green luncheon at the HD 2007 Expo & Conference to a Green Restaurant Products Pavilion at the NRA Show. In Las Vegas, HD Expo & Conference green activities will kick off on Wednesday, May 9, with the second annual Green Luncheon. Three case studies will be presented, each of which involves...