Cactus Restaurants launches sustainable collaboration with Cedar Grove and Sound Sustainable Farms
Taking the farm to table concept to the next level
KIRKLAND, Wash., Aug. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cactus Restaurants and Tavern Hall, part of On Point Hospitality have taken the full circle approach to organic farming in a unique partnership with Sound Sustainable Farms in Redmond.
Cactus Restaurants diverts an estimated 72 tons of food waste annually to Cedar Grove for composting, a first step in an innovative partnership that originated in 2008. When Sound Sustainable Farms debuted as part of Cedar Grove in June of 2017, Vice President Steven Banchero III selected an exclusive group of bold faced restaurant partners with which to launch the model farm project this year. The previously fallow 60 acre farm has flourished with the infusion of organic compost, and currently has 78 crops under cultivation.
"When Steven approached me with the idea for Sound Sustainable Farms, I immediately saw this as an opportunity to close the loop on sustainability by growing produce and planning menus based on seasonal produce grown from our own compost. We are very pleased to bring delicious, sustainable produce to each plate served to our guests at Cactus."— Marc Chatalas, co-owner, Cactus Restaurants and Tavern Hall.
Guests already see fresh sheets tagged with items that feature Sound Organic Farms produce, including staples like arugula, mint, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini and squash blossoms. As the growing season continues, the product featured will shift to reflect the seasonality of the harvest.
Brent Novotny, Culinary Director for Cactus Restaurants recently toured the farm and met with the Sound Organics team to check progress on the growth season and gain inspiration for incorporating new items on the Cactus and Tavern Hall menus.
"The produce looks amazing and we are excited to be offering our discerning customers these fresh, organic options from Sound Sustainable farms; I'm probably going to buy their entire crop of cilantro and mint," Novotny noted. Cactus is the largest restaurant partner involved with the project, with 6 locations including Madison Park, Bellevue, South Lake Union, Alki, Kirkland and Tavern Hall in Bellevue.
Other notable restaurant partners include Tutta Bella, El Gaucho, The Metropolitan Grill, First and Goal, Heartwood Provisions.
SOURCE Cactus Restaurant
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