CHICAGO—Greg Christian, a Chicago native who brought a successful sustainable food program to the Chicago Public School system, is opening a national consulting firm to help restaurateurs, hoteliers, caterers, and all types of food service management achieve sustainability goals that help the community and environment.
The new company, Greg Christian Consulting, (GCC), will evaluate and diagnose a company’s current corporate social responsibility and organizational accountability systems and help clients execute long-term sustainable performance. The main focus will be on procurement, environmental and waste management, seasonality, sustainability education, creative vision, and selling and marketing sustainability. Possible outcomes include implementing zero waste kitchens, sourcing sustainable products, improved local purchasing, water and energy conservation, and recycling and composting programs.
“Incorporating sustainable practices into your business is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference, not just to your own bottom line, but also to your community, now and for the future,” says Adriana Marzullo, operations manager, KPMG. “KPMG has initiated a comprehensive global greening initiative. Greg Christian was able to tie our initiatives all together and take it a step farther. There is definitely a need for our vendors to share an authentic commitment to sustainability. We found the knowledge Greg has to offer vital to operating sustainable corporate events and food service venues.”
Involved in Many Organizations
As a leader in green business, Christian is a founding member of B-Corporation, a member of the Social Venture Network, and is currently helping to write policy and procedure for APEX, an organization focused on bringing together best practices for meeting and events. On a more local level, he was appointed by the Governor of Illinois to sit on the HB1300 taskforce, and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance. His work developing the Organic School Project has been recognized on a national level.
During the last 20 years, Christian has owned and operated catering and foodservice businesses that specialized in local, natural and organic cuisine, with seasonally-based menus. Christian will draw upon that experience in addition to his groundbreaking work founding the Organic School Project, a program that teaches children more positive food and lifestyle choices.
Christian envisions the other half of his consulting business will soon evolve into a resource for private citizens to identify, locate and purchase sustainable products. He believes consumers want to track the “greenness” of their food, and hold themselves accountable for where their food comes from.
“We plan to start a ‘Greg’s Green List’ that will serve as a resource for the entire community,” Christian says. “ People will be able to share their experiences and let others know where they have found great sustainable products.”
Go to Greg Christian Consulting.
