Three restaurants enrolled in new Harrisonburg green certification program

The City of Harrisonburg is working with the local food service industry to provide a green restaurant certification program.

Harrisonburg Public Works is leading the effort to acknowledge sustainability efforts and recognize the hard work of establishments.

The Eateries Acting Towards Sustainability, or EATS, program is voluntary and available to those in the food service industry who choose to participate. There is no entry fee into the program.

EATS aims to prioritize waste reduction and position the Harrisonburg restaurant industry and broader hospitality sector as pioneers in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

This initiative not only benefits the environment by fostering a culture of practical sustainability but also enhances the overall quality of life for all residents in Harrisonburg.

Public education on minimizing single-use waste and empowering restaurants to adopt cost-effective waste reduction measures will help participating businesses tackle waste-related challenges effectively.

This certification program has three tiers to highlight different levels of sustainability depending on the capabilities of participants:

• Sprout Level, a low-barrier entry to reward people for making small but necessary steps toward sustainability
• Bloom Level, pushes businesses to take an even bigger step to reduce their single-use plastic
• Harvest Level, will show how businesses are putting sustainability at the forefront of their everyday operation.

Grilled Cheese Mania and A Bowl of Good both have enrolled in the program and achieved the Level Three Harvest certification.

Drifters Café is listed at the Bloom level.

“This certification program is a great way to get people more involved in sustainability,” said Shayna Carter, Harrisonburg stormwater compliance specialist. “EATS has the potential to show that even small efforts can make a big difference in our community.”

EATS is one of a number of programs designed by Harrisonburg Public Works to address a key goal of the Harrisonburg City Council 2043 vision plan. The plan, in part, calls for a focus on community resiliency and the natural environment, prioritizing “protection of these natural assets – air, streams, mountains, trees and open space – critical to maintaining our quality of life.”

More information about the program may be found online at www.harrisonburgva.gov/EATS.

Businesses that wish to participate need to have a Harrisonburg location. If you are interested in the program or have any questions, contact Carter by at (540) 434-5928 or email [email protected]