Vancouver, British Columbia is fortunate to be positioned close to the ocean, fresh water, and agricultural land with a mild climate and plenty of rain. There are some fantastic restaurants and catering companies taking advantage of these local ingredients to provide fresh, delicious meals across the lower mainland. When it comes to hosting a wedding or event, it can be daunting to choose the perfect catering options- especially if you are looking for one who truly cares and practices sustainability.
So, which companies are leading the way for greener practices and walking the walk? Here are some outstanding catering companies in Metro Vancouver who are making strides to be responsible and lower their environmental impact.
- The Lazy Gourmet (https://www.lazygourmet.ca/about-us/sustainability/) They have a Sustainability section on their website that shows they partner with Green Table Network and are part of the Ocean Wise Seafood program. They also share some ways they implement the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. They also give back to their community, being both environmentally and socially responsible.
- Savoury City (https://www.savourycity.com/) Lead by the Queen of Catering, Donna Wadswroth, Savoury City brings the words Seasonal and Local to the centre of every menu. They pay careful attention to details from sourcing and transportation to great staffing, execution, and waste management. No wonder they have a myriad of awards and accolades to their name!
- The Yoga Chef (https://www.theyogachef.com/) Looking for vegetarian and vegan options? The Yoga Chef believes in practicing sustainably, ethical and eco-friendly sourcing, and organic, local ingredients. Recognizing that plant-based menus are the future, they are leading the way and bringing colourful plates at the focus.
- Tayybeh Restaurant and Catering (https://tayybeh.com/) This Female and Purpose-led business supports and empowers Syrian and Middle-Eastern newcomers to Vancouver and celebrates their traditional recipes and culture with delicious food. Their menus can accommodate most dietary needs including vegan menus, and the recipes are made locally in small batches. Tayybeh is also proud to be the sole caterer serving all SFU campuses.
Want to be included in this list?
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have a Sustainability section on the company website. It is important to be as transparent as possible to show potential clients that you care about the planet. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. I truly enjoy getting to speak with catering companies and learning more about their sustainable practices. It is important to many of my wedding and event clients that the food also aligns with their eco-values.
Take the next step and hold your business accountable. Here are some Partnerships and Pledges to consider joining if you are a Sustainable Catering company:
Green Table Network (https://greentable.net/) – A collective of approved food service providers following specific environmentally responsible practices after going through a rigorous review of their operations.
Ocean Wise Seafood (https://ocean.org/) – Food service businesses that partner with Ocean Wise promote responsible farming and protecting the ocean and are committed to sourcing sustainable seafood.
1% for the Planet (https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/) – A membership that promotes and supports the definition of sustainability from environmental responsibility to business growth and success.
Forward Food (https://www.forwardfood.org/canada/#) – A free program helps food service professionals “put plants on the centre of the plate”.
Coolfood Pledge (https://coolfood.org/pledge/) – Members take a pledge that brings numbers to the forefront, aiming to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and provides a Coolfood Calculator tool to gather and manage data for member’s annual reports.
Need some guidance/want to have a chat? Connect with me at wasteknotca@gmail.com,
Cheers,
Mallory