The Monterey Bay Aquarium and ARAMARK, a world leader in professional facilities management and food services, have entered into a partnership under which ARAMARK commits to new practices that will guide its purchases of sustainable seafood for all ARAMARK operations across the United States.
As part of the partnership, ARAMARK is beginning immediately to shift its seafood purchases toward sustainable sources. The company will complete the transition by 2018.
ARAMARK’s operations in the United States alone employ about 180,000 people and serve tens of millions of consumers at businesses, universities, schools, sports and entertainment facilities, parks and other locations. This includes scores of major league sports facilities, convention centers, leading zoos and aquariums, and national parks and attractions, including Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, Anaheim Convention Center, the University of Pennsylvania, New Jersey's Adventure Aquarium and Denali Park Resorts in Alaska.
ARAMARK’s action is the latest in a series of significant commitments by leading retailers and food service providers to work with the Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative and similar programs around the world.
“We’re delighted to partner with ARAMARK and help the company fulfill its commitment to serving seafood that comes from sustainable wild and farmed sources,” said Michael Sutton, director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Center for the Future of the Oceans, which incorporates the Sustainable Seafood Initiative and Seafood Watch program, www.seafoodwatch.org. “This decision by ARAMARK, and similar commitments by other business leaders, will have a real impact in the marketplace. By creating more demand for seafood from sources that protect the health of ocean ecosystems, we’re on a path toward improving fishing practices around the world.”
Since 1999, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative has made recommendations – based on sound fisheries science – about which seafood to buy and which to avoid with the ultimate goal of transforming the seafood market to create incentives that protect the health of ocean wildlife and ecosystems.
“Being good environmental stewards is important to our employees, our customers and the communities in which we live and work,” said Robert Dennill, ARAMARK’s associate vice president for corporate social responsibility. “The expertise and knowledge we are able to gain from the Monterey Bay Aquarium will guide business practices and influence consumer behaviors, helping strengthen our commitment to the environment.”
The Aquarium will help ARAMARK to make the transition by providing timely, expert information about what sustainable seafood is available in the market; advice and assistance about finding sources of sustainable seafood; and providing staff support and a suite of programs to help ARAMARK with staff training and education efforts among its clients and customers.
ARAMARK is already working with its suppliers, chefs and managers to:
• Identify and encourage the purchase of seafood listed on the Aquarium’s “Best Choices” and “Good Alternatives” lists, and discourage purchase of seafood on the “Avoid” list;
• Combine operator feedback and Aquarium research so that seafood recommendations are progressive yet achievable;
• Create marketing and training materials for managers and front-line staff that clearly convey ARAMARK’s commitment to sustainable seafood; and
• Distribute the Aquarium’s Seafood Watch consumer pocket guides to its customers.
In recent years, Monterey Bay Aquarium and other members of the Seafood Choices Alliance (www.seafoodchoices.org) have announced partnership agreements with a number of major retailers and food service companies to support the shift to sustainable seafood, including Wal-Mart and Wegmans.
Internationally, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC, www.msc.org) recognizes – via a certification program – well-managed fisheries and encourages consumers to select seafood products bearing the MSC seal of approval.
“The future of seafood, and the fate of ocean wildlife, is an urgent environmental issue,” Sutton said. “Globally, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization reports that the majority of all commercial fisheries are being fished at or beyond their limits. And scientists recently projected that unless we change our fishing patterns, virtually all commercial fisheries will be gone within 50 years.”
“By engaging with partners like ARAMARK, we’re moving closer to a solution,” he said.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Robert Hendrickson of Sierra Mar's Second Career Takes Off
Behind the scenes at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine event there were never enough hands to buff all the glasses needed for the crowds.
As a waiter at the wine-centric Sierra Mar restaurant at the renowned Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, Robert Hendrickson has seen a fair share of glassware. And even at Sierra Mar, where attention to detail is keen, the dreaded smudge or lipstick smear can escape detection.
No more, thanks to Hendrickson's invention he calls Wubeez, a glass-cleaning cloth that absorbs moisture, buffs the surface and leaves no lint or residue. The cloths are now featured in dozens of local restaurants and resorts, giving a shot in the arm to Hendrickson's second career. Full Monterey Herald Story
"As a longtime waiter, I've often been frustrated by the amount of time and effort it takes to remove soap residue on glassware, especially on wine glasses. I solved my problem with WUBEEZ... in mere moments I have a glass that is streak-free, lint-free and odorless of chemicals or detergents." Robert Hendrickson
Buy your Wubeez here!
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Day I Caught The Last Salmon In The World
The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted Thursday to ban commercial and recreational fishing of chinook salmon off the California coast and most of Oregon this year. The goal is to reverse an unprecedented decline in the population from theSacramento River, traditionally one of the West Coast's most productive wild salmon runs.
The financial impact of this year's ban, which nixed the expected April 5 start of the recreational salmon fishing season, has already hurt Monterey County fishermen and those who support them.
"Normally, (Moss Landing Harbor) would be just a hotbed of activity - no slips available, and parking hard to come by," said Harbormaster Linda MacIntyre on Friday. "Now, it's just like another November day."It's a domino effect, and it will have a major impact on not only the local community but the economy of the county."
MacIntyre said the harbor district will likely lose tens of thousands of dollars, if not more, in lost parking, launching, berthing and dry storage fees. As many as 400 vessels leave Moss Landing harbor during a typical salmon season.
"During the opening weekend (during most years), we probably make $25,000," she said. "And of course they buy bait, and they buy marine supplies, and they buy fuel from the fuel dock and supplies from the local supermarkets and convenience stores. And of course the RV park that is on the harbor district's property, they actually told us that they had a number of cancellations."
Ban affects everyone
She said the fishing ban will probably lead to unemployment in both the local fishing community and its support businesses. The harbor district itself is considering reducing some of its staff, MacIntyre said.
"Even if people don't have any interest in fishing, it's going to be an impact when they go to the restaurant and try to order salmon at 30 bucks a pound - assuming there's even any salmon to be had," she said.
There should be plenty of farm-raised salmon and wild sockeye from Alaska on the market, but it will be hard to find chinook, also known as king salmon, which is prized by anglers and upscale restaurants.
Despite the hits her community will take, MacIntyre said no one's arguing the ban.
"One guy said it best: Nobody wants to be the one to catch the very last salmon in the world," she said. "We need a good federal and state water management program in the Sacramento River and the Klamath River that will allow the fish to go up and spawn and then get back down to the ocean, so they can grow into fish big enough that we can catch and eat."
Sunday, April 13, 2008
April Events In Monterey And On The Central Coast
Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur launched a week long special during Spring Break that took the Central Coast by storm. Yes only at Nepenthe could you order, for only $14.95 a Kosher-All Beef foot long hot dog wrapped in uncured natural bacon and deep fried. For that price, of course, you got a side salad which-upon request-could be deep fried also. They sold nearly 60 pounds of these home wreckers the first week.
I was invited by my friend Tina Gularte to go old school like a VIP at the Fox Theater in Salinas last Friday night. Bret Michaels the former lead singer of Poison and star of VH1 reality show Rock of Love was in town with his solo group, the Bret Michaels Band. (Shrug..who? I had no idea, I had to google the guy.) After a long Friday in Livermore preparing for the US Foodservice Spring Buying Show, coming up April 23rd at the Sacramento Convention Center, I drove out to La Casa Sorrento in Salinas to meet Tina and some of her friends before heading to the show. The place was packed at least 3 deep at the bar. Owner Mike Hackett was on hand pouring cocktails along with his staff. Mike and his wife had an opportunity to take over this business that goes back about 50 years in Salinas. I had the best slice of pizza that I have had in a long time. Check out the coast weekly article Pepperoni Resurrection
For only $5.00 Chef Todd Fisher is preparing dinner at Shoreline Church in Monterey this Wednesday 4/16 for the launch of their new small group Bible Study based on Max Lucado's book 3:16 The Numbers of Hope. The study looks at a critical conversation between a prominent Jewish leader and Jesus of Nazareth. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of a group that was building a case against the man Jesus Christ in order to stop him from speaking and teaching. This was the same group that investigated John the Baptist, who was then beheaded. Nicodemus in spite of his official duties to prosecute Jesus, was facinated by the teachings and actions of Him. He sought him out after dark one evening to question Him. Their 
conversation included the 26 words that are the foundation of our faith as Christians. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." For $5.00 you couldn't even get an appetizer at most of the restaurants that Chef Todd worked at or owned!
Another Shoreline Church member and restauranteur Pat Ottone has launched a $100.00 steak special at his Monterey restaurant, Lallapalooza. We have recently reviewed his updated Steakhouse Menu, but Pat has taken it a step further with his 16 ounce Prime Akaushi Ribeye steak dinner.
The first week out he sold 10 steaks and re-ordered this 100% Hormone Free, source specific, beef that is a natural source of CLA and Oleic Acid. The steaks for his special are ordered and shipped direct from the Heartbrand Beef ranch in Texas to order. With his second order he added 10 pounds of Akaushi ground beef for a burger and slider special. Be sure to call first or ask you server (or Meg the bartender who can tell the Akaushi story like no other.)
April 13-19 National Library Week
It’s National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide - and the perfect time to discover how you can join the circle of knowledge @ your library.
“Everyday, libraries in big cities and small towns, colleges and universities, in schools and in businesses help transform their communities,” says the American Library spokesperson. “At our libraries, people of all backgrounds can come together for community meetings, lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get a job or to find homework help..”
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.
America's 117,000 libraries fall into four basic types (with a few added variations): Public, School, Academic and Special. There are also Armed Forces libraries, Government libraries and multi-use or Joint-Use libraries, which combine library types in one service area or structure.
History of Libraries From The www.ilovelibraries.org website
On a general level, library history probably starts 5000 years ago with collections of clay tablets. In Egypt, the Great Library of Alexandria was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Its collections were said to have included 750,000 scrolls. Fire destroyed some of them and some were taken to Rome as authorized by Cleopatra. While there were private libraries in Rome, Roman citizens could read in dry areas of the public baths. Early libraries also existed in North Africa and the Middle East. Some of these early libraries were available to the public; some were even lending libraries. During the dark ages, printed material was mostly sustained in the monasteries until Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the 1400s. Early library development in France goes back to the 1300s and in Great Britain to the 1400s. Usage of materials in most early European libraries was restricted to scholars.
In the late 1600s and 1700s, library development began in the United States. Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731, known as a "subscription library." Many claims exist to being the first U.S. public library. That distinction depends on how the "first public library" is defined, whether by founding date alone, by the founding entity or by level of service offered.
More than 2,000 public libraries were financed in part by the Scotsman, Andrew Carnegie who donated considerable funds to contribute to building them. His first library was built in Scotland in 1883; the first in America, in 1889. Today there are more than 9,000 public libraries in the United States in more than 16,000 buildings.
School libraries are usually part of a school system, and serve students between Kindergarten and grade 12. Many are called media centers, and librarians are often required to have a second degree in education or a certificate in school media.
Not all schools have libraries. Historically, schools were often located near the public library so that students could take advantage of the public library's materials. As demographics changed, schools were located closer to population centers, distance to the public library became an issue and libraries within schools began to appear. Now there are more than 93,000 school libraries.
Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty. In the United States, the oldest academic library is at Harvard University. In 1638, a new college received the bequest of 400 books upon the death of a young minister, John Harvard. He also left half of his land as the university's first benefactor. The school was named in his honor, and the first academic library was established. The 3500 academic libraries today serve 4-year institutions of higher learning as well as junior colleges and community colleges.
The 9,000 special libraries have evolved from the recognition by corporations, businesses, institutions and organizations that they have a need for a central repository of knowledge relevant to their mission and focus. If involved in research, it is vital for them to have the knowledge of what is available, what other research has been done and what findings have resulted.
Go pick up a cookbook at your local library. Research a business plan for your next great restaurant concept. Search the history of a recipe. (I had to find a food segway)Seriously though, if nothing else check out the National Agricultural Library for info on anything agriculture relate. In particular take a peek at the Rural Library Sustainability page.
“Everyday, libraries in big cities and small towns, colleges and universities, in schools and in businesses help transform their communities,” says the American Library spokesperson. “At our libraries, people of all backgrounds can come together for community meetings, lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get a job or to find homework help..”
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.
America's 117,000 libraries fall into four basic types (with a few added variations): Public, School, Academic and Special. There are also Armed Forces libraries, Government libraries and multi-use or Joint-Use libraries, which combine library types in one service area or structure.
History of Libraries From The www.ilovelibraries.org website
On a general level, library history probably starts 5000 years ago with collections of clay tablets. In Egypt, the Great Library of Alexandria was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Its collections were said to have included 750,000 scrolls. Fire destroyed some of them and some were taken to Rome as authorized by Cleopatra. While there were private libraries in Rome, Roman citizens could read in dry areas of the public baths. Early libraries also existed in North Africa and the Middle East. Some of these early libraries were available to the public; some were even lending libraries. During the dark ages, printed material was mostly sustained in the monasteries until Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the 1400s. Early library development in France goes back to the 1300s and in Great Britain to the 1400s. Usage of materials in most early European libraries was restricted to scholars.
In the late 1600s and 1700s, library development began in the United States. Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731, known as a "subscription library." Many claims exist to being the first U.S. public library. That distinction depends on how the "first public library" is defined, whether by founding date alone, by the founding entity or by level of service offered.
More than 2,000 public libraries were financed in part by the Scotsman, Andrew Carnegie who donated considerable funds to contribute to building them. His first library was built in Scotland in 1883; the first in America, in 1889. Today there are more than 9,000 public libraries in the United States in more than 16,000 buildings.
School libraries are usually part of a school system, and serve students between Kindergarten and grade 12. Many are called media centers, and librarians are often required to have a second degree in education or a certificate in school media.
Not all schools have libraries. Historically, schools were often located near the public library so that students could take advantage of the public library's materials. As demographics changed, schools were located closer to population centers, distance to the public library became an issue and libraries within schools began to appear. Now there are more than 93,000 school libraries.
Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty. In the United States, the oldest academic library is at Harvard University. In 1638, a new college received the bequest of 400 books upon the death of a young minister, John Harvard. He also left half of his land as the university's first benefactor. The school was named in his honor, and the first academic library was established. The 3500 academic libraries today serve 4-year institutions of higher learning as well as junior colleges and community colleges.
The 9,000 special libraries have evolved from the recognition by corporations, businesses, institutions and organizations that they have a need for a central repository of knowledge relevant to their mission and focus. If involved in research, it is vital for them to have the knowledge of what is available, what other research has been done and what findings have resulted.
Go pick up a cookbook at your local library. Research a business plan for your next great restaurant concept. Search the history of a recipe. (I had to find a food segway)Seriously though, if nothing else check out the National Agricultural Library for info on anything agriculture relate. In particular take a peek at the Rural Library Sustainability page.
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