RELEASE DATE
8/16/2022
Epicurean Group Earns an A Rating on Protein Sustainability Scorecard
The Humane Society Recognizes Epicurean’s Efforts to Increase Its Use of Plant Proteins
Dateline: [LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA, August 16, 2022] — Epicurean Group recently earned an “A” on the Humane Society of the United States Food Service Industry Protein Sustainability Scorecard. The scorecard ranks food service companies’ protein sustainability based on a survey of three main topics: transparency, goals, and a plan of action. Since its founding, Epicurean Group has focused on sustainability in food production and delivery, food containers and utensils, and other green practices.
“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces—just good food from fresh ingredients.” – Julia Child
Animal Products Versus Plant-Based Foods
According to the Humane Society, the current global food system causes 20% to 37% of all greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and the environmental footprint for animal products is much larger than for plant-based foods. Epicurean Group has long recognized the nutritional and environmental value of less meat production and less food processing. Back in 2014, Epicurean began incorporating Ancient Grains as sustainable proteins to replace meat in its menus, and it introduced Slow Beans in 2016. The company’s goal is to reduce the use of meat in its menus by 10% by 2024 and to offer more high-protein, minimally processed alternatives.
Epicurean’s Plant-Based Initiatives
Epicurean Group is committed to managing, measuring, and improving its sustainable practices in its food service production, supply chain, and partnerships. Epicurean plans menus by using the 1:1 approach; it offers one plant-based entrée for every animal-based entrée. The company is also starting to follow the DefaultVeg concept, in which plant-based food is the default and animal products are optional.
In addition to increasing the use of plant-based protein in its menus, Epicurean offers training and education about the benefits. As part of professional development, staff receive plant-based training that includes marketing, recipe development, and culinary skills. Customers and clients are also educated on protein diversification through Epicurean’s blog posts, website, and social media content and/or through virtual and in-person training.
Measuring the effects is an important part of Epicurean’s sustainability efforts. The company tracks the carbon emissions of its procurement practices and menu offerings, and it tracks the sales of its plant-based meals. By paying attention to this real-world information, the company can adjust and further diversify and expand its protein offerings—and continue to live its values.
fresh. honest. local.
Since 2003, Epicurean Group’s cofounders, CEO Mary Clark Bartlett, CFO Marvin Rodriguez, and COO Rey Hernandez, have been customizing programs to provide fresh, honest, local food to clients. With a sustainable and mindful approach, the company has elevated the dining experiences for clients in corporate campuses, educational institutions, and senior living communities.
The Mother of All Slow Food Events
Epicurean also continues to build on its collaboration with Slow Food International and will once again attend the Terra Madre (“Mother Earth”) Salone del Gusto event in Turin, Italy, September 22–26, 2022. The lessons learned at that event have been eye-opening and invaluable. After Epicurean brought back Ancient Grains and Slow Beans from Terra Madre, the company shared their food books on both topics with the Humane Society. They had been headed into complete processed meat items laced with chemicals but have now embraced the exploration and use of healthy plant-based alternatives.
At Terra Madre, 250 countries from around the world bring their local foods to Turin every other year. Most of our third-world neighbors eat Ancient Grains and Slow Beans for a complete protein. Rather than being the main item, meat is an accompaniment to everything else on the plate. Epicurean is excited to see what other plant-based and sustainable meat replacements they’ll learn about this year at Terra Madre!
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About Epicurean Group
Epicurean Group is a contract food service management company that is headquartered in Northern California and is dedicated to sustainable dining. This minority- and women-owned business specializes in corporate and campus restaurants, fine-arts dining, and distinctive community dining, and it provides exceptional catering services for discerning customers.
Learn more about Epicurean Group at epicurean-group.com.
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