Employees of the Oregon Convention Center were recognized in Sustainable Business Oregon this week for their work on sustainable food service by Pacificwild, the convention center's caterer. Pacificwild is in the running for a Portland BEST (Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) Award. The awards will be announced at the annual BEST Awards on April 25.
Here's some of what Sustainable Business Oregon had to say about Pacificwild:
- Pacificwild Catering was created by its parent company, Aramark, as an exclusive brand for the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, and Portland Expo Center. ARAMARK has partnered with these venues since 1999, but created Pacificwild to put greater emphasis on local, sustainable food systems on a large scale
- Given the freedom to adjust Aramark standard practices based on the venue and client needs, Pacificwild partners with each facility to develop, train and implement sustainable practices within all departments.
- Over the past 12 years, Pacificwild catering has consistently purchased from local businesses within the 44-block area surrounding the Oregon Convention Center. This represents approximately $1.8 million annually in food and beverage spending. When in season, 70 percent of Pacificwild’s produce is locally grown.