Throughout Western North Carolina more and more restaurants are becoming environmentally aware and building eco-friendly, sustainable businesses. In Marshall, NC and Hot Springs, NC (both located in Madison County near Asheville, NC) residents and visitors have a variety of environmentally conscious restaurants to choose from.
Green, Sustainable Mexican Delights at French Broad Taqueria
The French Broad Taqueria in Marshall, NC offers a delicious local approach to traditional and vegetarian Mexican dishes. The Taqueria purchases local and organic produce whenever possible including kale, spinach and lettuce from local framers like the Rice Family Farm, Philosophy Farm and Dry Pond Farm. Co-owner Amy Newton says local farmers keep her up to date about what produce they have available and The Taqueria takes advantage of the local tailgate markets as often as possible.
Newton is currently studying Sustainable Community Development, with a focus on sustainable food systems therefore, creating a model of sustainability in the restaurant’s daily operations is a major goal. The Taqueria recycles as much as possible. They compost kitchen scraps through an employee, compost vegetarian cooked food scraps through a local bakery that uses them to feed pigs and fryer oil waste is removed by a local bio-fuel producer.
The Taqueria also uses eco-friendly take out packaging and continuously explores local meats. Currently their most popular menu item is the fish taco made with Sunburst Farms trout, a local fish producer. They also offer hormone-free and humanely raised chicken and pork (for the chorizo).
Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Business at The Bridge Street Cafe & Inn
The Bridge Street Cafe and Inn in Hot Springs, NC is an excellent dining choice when you are in Hot Springs, NC. Located on the first floor of a restored 1920′s building on historic Main Street, Bridge Street Cafe provides an elegant yet earthy experience of Italian and Mediterranean flavors. Stop in and taste their Zucchini Parmigiana, made with locally grown zucchini or the hormone free Grilled NY Strip topped with caramelized red onions and accompanied by smoked gouda, mashed potatoes and lemon asparagus.
Sustainable, Green Initiatives
The restaurant has also taken a multiple green initiatives to promote earth-friendly and sustainable business.
1. Preparing food with fresh, locally-grown organic vegetables, organic flours and grains, and hormone and antibiotic free meats.
2. The use of cloth napkins instead of paper and recycled paper products.
3. A dishwasher model that conserves water by using rinse water from one cycle as the wash water for the next cycle, reducing per-wash water usage by 75%.
4. The use of eco-friendly cleaning supplies, environmentally safe paints.
5. Composting food waste to minimize landfill usage.
6. All oil used in the kitchen is recycled and used in local bio-diesel engines.
Bridge Street Cafe also has future plans that include building a bio roof, purchasing energy efficient water heaters, using solar power, buying energy efficient washers, supporting the One Laptop Per Child Program through an Internet program for Cafe guests and sponsorship of a community based Clean Up Hot Springs Day.
Zuma Coffee: Building Sustainable Communities in WNC
If you are looking for a quick bite and a great cup of coffee stop at Zuma coffee in Marshall, North Carolina where you’ll find a delicious selection of fair trade and organic coffees, as well as what co-owner Joel Friedman calls “creative, healthy comfort food”. For six and a half years owners Joel Friedman and Lesley King have cultivated a warm, inviting atmosphere that celebrates mountain heritage.
In addition to fresh baked goods and yummy lunch sandwiches made with high quality, local ingredients Zuma has become a popular local music venues. Residents and visitors can take part in the Friday night open mics, see local musicians on the weekend or come to the long standing Thursday night bluegrass jam. Stop by and give their signature Chipotle Turkey Wrap a try or visit their website to find out more about upcoming events like the monthly French Broad Friday celebrations.