Spurred by statistics citing the devastating effects of plastics and wasteful practices on our environment, dozens of Westchester’s restaurants are taking steps to be eco-friendly.
The measures range widely: eliminating plastic straws, bags, utensils and packaging, using compostable packaging made from plant fibers, corn, 100% recycled materials or renewable resources, eco-friendly cleaning materials, non-GMO and 100% organic products, bathroom hand dryers, recycling, composting and offering non-dairy milks for those concerned about dairy’s environmental impact and discounts for returned takeout glasses. Most common are straws made from paper, corn or even hay. Reusable ones are sporadically available; plastic straws are available upon request for people with disabilities.
Since 2014, Croton’s ice cream parlor, The Blue Pig, has been the only food business certified by Westchester County’s Green Business Partnership. “I’ve always been an environmentalist,” explains owner Lisa Moir, explaining why she incorporates sustainable practices. She locally sources cream, makes more product at night when electricity demand is less and insulated freezers.
“It doesn’t stop at the food,” says Laurie Gergshon, chef/owner of Ossining’s Good Choice Kitchen, which offers whole, organic, local vegan/gluten-free cuisine. The restaurant holds a rare Green Restaurant Association 4 Star rating. All appliances are energy save certified by New York State and flooring is made from pre and post consumer materials.
Farm to fork restaurant Truck, in Bedford, orders food, including all beef, pork and oysters, from New York and Connecticut farmers. No farmed fish is purchased. The restaurant sits on almost an acre, which it farms, and gardens, 100% organically. “The majority of plantings are native, bird and pollinator-friendly,” says chef/owner Nancy Allen Roper. “We have 12 elderberry bushes. The birds eat half the berries and with the other half, we make margaritas!”
For more, check out some of these other food businesses with serious green initiatives:
• Bedford Gourmet, Bedford
• Truck, Bedford
• Chappaqua Station, Chappaqua
• Crabtree’s Kittle House, Chappaqua
• Local, Chappaqua
• The Blue Pig, Croton
• Terra Ristorante, Danbury and Greenwich
• The Cookery, Dobbs Ferry
• The Parlor, Dobbs Ferry
• East End, Greenwich
• Mediterraneo, Greeenwich, White Plains, Norwalk
• Famous Greek Kitchen, Greenwich
• Halstead Ave Taqueria, Harrison
• Red Barn Bakery, Irvington
• The Reading Room, Katonah
• Aurary Gourmet, Larchmont
• Little Crepe Street, Mount Kisco
• Little Kabab Station, Mount Kisco
• Little Drunken Chef, Mount Kisco
• Skinny Buddha Organic Kitchen, Mount Kisco
• Solé Ristorante, New Canaan
• First Village Coffee, Ossining​
• Good Choice Kitchen, Ossining
• Little Mumbai Market, Pleasantville
• Stone Barns Café and Grain Bar, Pocantico Hills
• Taco Shack, Port Chester
• Tarry Lodge, Port Chester
• The Kitchen Table, Pound Ridge
• Muddy Waters, Tarrytown
• RiverMarket, Tarrytown
• Aurora, Rye
• Morgans Fish House, Rye