Green Philadelphia Agriculture and Foods

The aggregate efforts of smaller businesses and community organizations also have an enormous impact on Philadelphia's environmental footprint. For example, the continued dedication of the city's many restaurants, farmers markets, and local food activists prompted Philadelphia to be ranked as one of the top three cities nationally with regard to efficient use of agriculture and locally farmed foods.

White Dog Café

The White Dog Cafe serves locally harvested organic food and encourages other businesses to do the same. Through the White Dog Cafe Foundation, the Philadelphia Fair Food Projects was founded and aims to link sustainable farmers with local restaurant and food purveyors. In addition, the restaurant runs entirely by wind power, educates staff and customers about sustainable agriculture, and donates 20% of their annual food profits to charitable organizations.

Table 31

Another Philadelphia eatery that has integrated many unique environmentally sustainable initiatives into its daily operations is Table 31. This steakhouse-cum-bistro, located in the Comcast Center, serves only organic meats and gets almost all of its produce from two local organic farmers. The restaurant even recycles its excess cooking oil with the help of a company that converts it into automobile fuel.

Reading Terminal Market

Located adjacent to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Reading Terminal Market is taking on green initiatives by reducing waste and energy usage. Consumer waste such as cans, bottles, and newsprints are recycled, waste cooking oil is reused through a local biofuel processing company, and food waste is sent to a pig farmer as feed. Efforts have been made to reduce energy through installation of new technology, including centralized "smart" thermostat controls on 43 water-source heat pumps. In addition, high efficiency lamps have replaced the lighting in the seating areas.

Bistro 7

A cozy, American-style BYOB in the heart of Old City, Bistro 7 uses only locally grown organic foods for its ingredients. The menu is constantly changing based on which foods are in peak season.

John and Kira's

John and Kira’s confectionary uses mint grown at Philadelphia public school gardens and other ingredients from local farmers to make their delicious trade-mark chocolates.

Farmers Markets

Philadelphia's other numerous farmers markets are also integral to the city's success in agricultural sustainability. With local and artisanal foods from small-scale farms, humanely-raised meats, and organic fruits and vegetables, farmers markets like the city's historic Ninth Street Italian Market offer fresh ingredients without a substantial cost to the environment.

Buy Local Philly

A campaign founded on the principle that when you buy local, you support the independent, one-of-a-kind businesses that make up the heart of Philly neighborhoods. Buying local keeps money in the community and builds a strong local living economy.

ARAMARK

The exclusive food and beverage provider to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, ARAMARK uses sustainable products such as plates, napkins, hot/cold beverage cups, and cutlery, which are all 100% decomposable and biodegradable. For more information on how ARAMARK is greening the Pennsylvania Convention Center, click here.