Spotlight on Catering: An Interview with Val Shulock
Temple Shalom member Valerie Shulock owns Basil Tree Catering, a corporate catering company that is far greener than most caterers. Many of their environmentally-friendly practices go beyond what other caterers do, but congregants are encouraged to ask their caterers whether they, too, could make some of these choices. Asking encourages better practices!
Val, can you clear up the question about using things that are single use (such as paper plates) or more durable (such as china)? We’ve heard that durable is better, but there are also environmental concerns about energy used to transport and wash dishes, as well as the soap that is used to clean and sterilize them.
No. If disposables are called for, there are more “earth-friendly” goods than traditional paper. Plates made from sugar fiber waste, compostable cups made from corn, and flatware made from corn and potatoes are good options. Congregants can ask their caterers for these products or look for them at WorldCentric, a non-profit in California. Bamboo plates are a good option if you want something more substantial and dressy. Though single use, they are made from a renewable resource and can be composed because they biodegrade fairly quickly. Bambu is a possible source.
What about all that disposable plastic that will be used both as serving pieces and as trays and covers?
Serving utensils are not yet earth-friendly because they are still made of plastic. Nevertheless, it is possible to find some brands that are made from a percentage of recycled post consumer plastics, which is an improvement. In addition, trays, covers and serving utensils can be sterilized and re-used, which is more earth-friendly than recycling or just throwing them away.Is it okay for me to talk to the caterer about how they are going to handle the recyclables after the event? That feels like micromanagement.
It is absolutely reasonable for you to ask the catering staff to re-use and recycle what they take away. That is not out of bounds, and it certainly makes it more likely that they will actually do it!
What can people do with food that is leftover, centerpieces and decorations?
Leftover food can go to shelters if it has been handled and stored properly and at safe temperatures. One can always ask the caterer to donate leftovers to a shelter when possible. Local shelters can take small quantities. The Greater Boston Food Bank has minimum quantities for donation, which may be larger than the leftovers of a private party. Guests can take home centerpieces such as flowers. Be sure to get the word out to folks to take them home before everyone departs. Centerpieces can also consist of attractively arranged items that are intended to be donated to a worthy cause at the end of the party.
What are some other sound environmental practices that Basil Tree engages in?
In additional to paying the town of Somerville for regular recycling pickup, Basil Tree COMPOSTS all of our scraps, thereby cutting our garbage in half. Save That Stuff picks up our compost weekly and brings it to farms that use it or make it into fertilizer used by landscapers. We also donate our used cooking oil for bio-diesel fuel. There is no money exchanged, but the trucks that deliver Basil Tree’s raw food, pick up the used cooking oil to fuel the delivery trucks. No extra trip is required. Also we attempt to buy locally when possible although this is challenging since we stock so many products. To reduce gas consumption, we combine deliveries and drive mini-vans rather than cargo vans when possible.
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"Righteous people ... do not waste in this world even a mustard
seed. They become sorrowful with every wasteful and destructive act
that they see, and if they can, they use all their strength to save
everything possible from destruction. But the wicked ... rejoice in
the destruction of the world, just as they destroy themselves."
- Sefer HaChinuch 529; 13th Century