BOSTON—Bevi, a beverage technology company that offers a suite of smart water coolers for commercial spaces, has announced the launch of its new water dispenser. Bevi’s Standup 2.0 allows users to customize filtered and sparkling water in seconds by setting temperature, carbonation level, and combinations of natural flavors and enhancements. As consumers and corporations grow increasingly environmentally conscious, they are taking steps to reduce their use of single-use packaging. Bevi was founded in 2013 to enable a permanent transition away from single-use bottles and cans by offering high quality filtered, sparkling, and naturally flavored water on tap. Since then, thousands...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—To further reduce its use of single-use plastic packaging, PepsiCo has agreed to set a time-bound goal by the end of 2022 for a percent of volume of beverages to be delivered via strategies that avoid or minimize single-use packaging. These strategies will include reusable and refillable bottles or containers, beverages that utilize concentrates such as fountain drinks, prepare at home beverages (such as its SodaStream subsidiary), or beverages sold in powder or drop form. The pledge was made in response to a shareholder proposal filed by As You Sow, asking the company to report on actions it could take to rapidly...

BALTIMORE—Vulcan, a leading provider of commercial cooking equipment, announced that Meghan Hurst has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Vulcan. This promotion comes at a strategic time for Vulcan as it continues to further enhance the customer experience. Hurst has been with Vulcan for almost eight years. She has held marketing roles with increasing responsibility and most recently served as Marketing Director where she developed and led a team comprised of marketers, chefs, and market segment managers. She has deep market knowledge and is passionate about crafting and executing brand, product, and category management strategies. “Meghan’s analytical nature...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—With much of the pandemic in the rearview mirror, Buffalo, N.Y.-based Delaware North is continuing to build on its long-standing commitment to grow GreenPath, the company’s robust stewardship platform that has been in place since the 1990s. The key branches of GreenPath include environmental management, community involvement, facilities & asset protection, healthy living, and interpretation and education. “Delaware North’s GreenPath program is very much at the heart of our company’s culture,” says Debbie Friedel, Corporate Director of Sustainability for Delaware North. “It remains a driving force thanks to our leaders and caring associates who put ideas into action.” For its...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts of the Greater Bay Area will celebrate Mother Earth, with unique activations and initiatives for both Earth Hour (Saturday, March 25, 8:30 p.m.) and Earth Day, April 22, 2022. One of the greatest threats facing our society today is climate change. This crisis has been ongoing for decades, with every year seemingly worse than the last. However, once a year there are worldwide events that remind us of the importance of climate change and provide an opportunity to make long standing sustainable choices. Fairmont’s parent company, Accor, supports a collaborative approach to sustainable tourism that respects the environment and local communities through...

CHICAGO—Following two years of struggle that changed the way foodservice businesses operate, industry professionals will return to Chicago’s McCormick Place when the National Restaurant Association resumes its annual National Restaurant Association Show, May 21 to 24. This year, the Show, the largest of its kind in North America, will feature expert-led sessions on how to rise from current challenges and navigate the new business landscape, turn disruption into opportunity, and embrace innovation. More than 65,000 attendees are expected over the course of four days, ready to have an in-person look at the latest foodservice products and to hear about solutions that support restaurant growth,...

TROY, OHIO—Centerline by Hobart just announced an addition to its line of dish machines. With the new Centerline door type commercial dishwasher, independent restaurants and midsize foodservice operations have a new option for dishwashing efficiency. An affordable line of kitchen equipment from the industry’s premier food equipment manufacturer, Centerline by Hobart offers dishwashing equipment for operations that demand quality and reliable performance at an affordable price. The new Centerline by Hobart door type commercial dishwasher is perfect for moderate daily use and features a simple, durable design to meet the demands of smaller operations and budgets. The dish machine can also...

It is almost every day now that I learn about a new resort or eco-lodge with sustainability at its core. In this case, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading luxury hospitality companies, announced plans for an innovative resort concept focusing on highly customizable itineraries led by personal guides, sustainable design and programming inspired by the nature and history of Mexico. The new luxury tented resort will be an expansion of the existing Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in an untouched enclave within the Resort community. Set to open in late 2022, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta...

NATIONAL REPORT—Approximately 73% of travelers are more likely to select accommodation that implements sustainability practices so if you have a hotel or B&B you’d like to take to the next level, then ensuring it is as eco-friendly as possible is vital. When it comes to sustainability in the sector, it is all a matter of making the most of your possibilities. Resorts with gardens and a wish to grow their own food can create a permaculture garden, which is a long-term project that requires reliance on expert knowledge and various years to complete. However, even small boutique hotels can do their share...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Organic kombucha and tea leader Brew Dr. Kombucha announced plans to become carbon neutral by 2030. Their announcement to prioritize carbon neutral operations is part of several Brew Dr. initiatives underway in celebration of B Corp Month in March. Brew Dr. is the first major kombucha company to become B Corp certified, designating that the business meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency across several social and environmental categories. “Certified B Corps are considered leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” says Dan Stangler, CEO of Brew...