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Guaranteed Green program grants credibility to eco-friendly restaurants in the Windy City

Guaranteed Green program grants credibility to eco-friendly restaurants in the Windy City

CHICAGO —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

Called Guaranteed Green, the program addresses questions consumers might have about what makes a restaurant green or sustainable, said Dan Rosenthal, co-founder of the co-op and owner-operator of The Rosenthal Group, which runs the Sopraffina Marketcaffe concept here. —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

The program will allow guests to locate restaurants that already have or are taking steps to become certified by either the Green Restaurant Association or Green Seal. Both are nonprofit organizations that help businesses go green through a series of steps and comprehensive standards. —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

“There’s been so much confusion about the definition of what green is, the definition of sustainability, what eco-friendly is, the definition of organic,” Rosenthal said. “It’s just very difficult for the dining public to make an accurate choice about what a sustainable restaurant truly is. We wanted to correct that and thought the best way to do it was to recognize those restaurants that completed viable certifications from these well-received third-party organizations that have credibility here.” —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

Rosenthal said 23 restaurants already have agreed to participate in Guaranteed Green. But while those restaurants have signed up, he said: “That doesn’t mean they’re all certified yet. They’ve agreed to go through a certified program. Actually, two are already certified by the GRA and will be getting their green stickers momentarily. —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

“Our expectation short-term is to have a minimum of 25 to 30 restaurants in the program by the holidays, and we hope for 50 by the first of the year,” he said. “That would put us on par with New York City for being one of the premiere green cities in the nation.” —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

Once the GRA or Green Seal certifies the restaurants, they receive materials, such as stickers and logos, signifying they are Guaranteed Green establishments and which can be posted on the premises. In addition, the information will be disseminated throughout the Chicagoland area, to convention and tourism publications and websites that inform guests where eco-friendly establishments exist. Rosenthal said that is a tremendous engine with which to drive business. —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

“That’s the name of the game,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to differentiate green restaurants from those that aren’t. There is a tremendous, growing market of consumers seeking green and sustainable restaurants. It’s all about putting more green bottoms in those seats.” —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

Rosenthal added there is no cost to join Guaranteed Green, but there is a charge to participate in either the GRA’s or Green Seal’s programs. —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

At the program’s Aug. 26 launch, celebrity chef and Guaranteed Green participant Rick Bayless, owner-operator of the Frontera Grill and Topolobompo restaurants, said: “A meal is truly wholesome if it is prepared and served in a sustainable environment. Guaranteed Green will let our customers know we care about the planet as much as we care about our food.”— [email protected] —Restaurateurs in this town are finding it easier to let customers know they run green and sustainable establishments, thanks to a program introduced last month by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op.

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