How to Be a Conscious Eater

organization’s “Avoid” list (indicated by a red color coding

on its materials), has trained its staff on sustainable seafood

issues, and is committed to selling only seafood that is envi-

ronmentally responsible.

Seafood Watch business partners and restaurant partners

include Aramark, Bamboo Sushi, Bon Appétit Management

Company, Border Grill, Brown Bag Seafood, California Fish Grill,

Red Lobster, Sodexo, and Whole Foods Market (don’t forget

the meals you get from “grocerants”—food courts, counter top

dining spots, and the like, in grocery stores).

PALM OIL SOURCING

Since palm oil often plays a significant role in professional

kitchens, I recommend checking the World Wildlife Fund’s

Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard for food service as a good way to see

who is committed to sourcing from only the most responsible

palm oil producers.

As of the latest analysis (2016), the food-service companies

leading the pack were Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, McDonald’s,

Sodexo, and Restaurant Brands International, which owns

Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons. They all received a

score of 9 out of 9 for sustainable palm oil sourcing.

CARBON FOOTPRINT

A new category of sustainable restaurants is emerging around

carbon neutrality. These restaurants carefully track their car-

bon emissions and employ eco-friendly practices and carbon

offset projects to bring their total down to zero. Carbon can

be a useful metric for the overall sustainability of a restau-

rant because it’s simple and widely understood. Companies

in various industries have carbon neutrality programs they’re

committed to, or that they offer customers. The entire state

of California is trying to reach carbon-neutral status by the

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