Native Foods Cafe and Surfrider Increase Awareness of "Water Quality Month" In August With "Veg Pledge"

CHICAGO, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- This August, Native Foods Cafe and Surfrider Foundation will increase awareness of the importance of water quality and conservation through their inaugural "Veg Pledge," with a goal of saving 100 Million gallons of water. The Veg Pledge encourages the public to eat one vegan or vegetarian meal per week throughout August's Water Quality Month. According to an infographic from Mother Jones, 100 Million gallons of water is enough to grow about 30 Million tomatoes, or 28.5 Million heads of lettuce.

According to Real Simple, substituting just four ounces of meat in your diet a week with a vegetarian option can save more than 3,300 gallons of water a week, and after one month of substituting with a vegan or vegetarian meal each week, that's upwards of 14,000 gallons per person. Fans of the 100% plant-based cuisine at Native Foods Cafe can take the Veg Pledge one step further – by dining once a week at any of the 26 locations throughout the US in the month of August, loyalty members will receive a $14 credit added to their rewards card – one dollar for every thousand gallons of water they save by participating in the pledge. Now these are fun and tasty ways to decrease your global water footprint!

Native Foods Cafe will be hosting a variety of other initiatives throughout the month of August to support Surfrider Foundation and its mission to protect and enjoy the world's ocean, waves and beaches. Planned activities include:

• Tuesday, August 11 – "Tote-ally Tuesday" – in alliance with Surfrider Foundation's "Ban the Bag" movement, the first 150 people to dine at each Native Foods Cafe location receive a free tote bag
• Tuesday, August 25 – "Native Pals Day" at Native Foods Cafe – guests who buy an entree, side, and drink will receive a free dessert, with proceeds from the meal donated to the Surfrider Foundation

The Veg Pledge aims to be a simple step in keeping water clean and available. For more information and updates about the Veg Pledge, visit www.nativefoodsvegpledge.com.

You can help by decreasing your Global Water Footprint!

• It takes 100 to 200 times more water to produce a pound of beef than it does to grow a pound of plant-based foods
• On average, a vegan indirectly consumes nearly 600 gallons of water per day less than a person who eats the average American diet
• Take the Veg Pledge and start saving water!

Here are some easy ways to reduce your water footprint at home:

• Nearly 60% of household water use goes towards lawn and garden maintenance. Plant an Ocean Friendly Garden instead. Beautify your yard while conserving water and improving local water quality.
• Stop wasting water! Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, install low-flow showerheads, and fix any leaky pipes.
• Install a rain barrel. Use this stored water to irrigate your lawn and garden instead of depending on our precious drinking water supply.

About Native Foods Cafe
Native Foods Cafe was founded in 1994, bringing into harmony a passion for fresh food and compassion for animals and the environment. Today, Native Foods Cafe has grown to become America's premier fast-casual plant-based restaurant group spanning coast to coast with 26 locations in Chicago, Washington D.C., Oregon, Colorado, Palm Springs, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Native Foods Cafe's food is made fresh daily—from homemade tempeh and seitan, to Native Cheese, to sauces and drinks, dressings and desserts, and is 100% plant-based.

About Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide.

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SOURCE Native Foods Cafe

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