simple + green

Capital Hill cafeteria food is about to undergo a change, according to an SFGate article published today, Pelosi leads the House to go organic in its cafeterias.

According to the story:

Under Pelosi’s signature “Green the Capitol” initiative, the House cafeterias today will get a full-blown makeover to the very latest in organic and locally grown cuisine under a new contract with Restaurant Associates, caterer to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

And this includes how they will choose seafood:

Under the new food contract, seafood will be chosen under the guidelines established by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program, which divides fish species into the categories “best,” “good alternatives” and “avoid,” depending on whether fish stocks are depleted or farmed in environmentally irresponsible ways.

And how will this food be served?

It will be served in compostable sugar cane and corn starch containers instead of petroleum-based plastics. Even the knives and forks will be biodegradable.

OK. But why the change?
Three main reasons that I can see:
1. The ‘hip’ factor: increased visibility for organic & local-based produce makes this a cool choice. And it is.

2. Health: a way to show commitment to fighting obesity, promoting sustainability. When the existing favorites are fried chicken and greasy soup, change is needed.

3. Change is good: any change to the menu would apparently have been a win. So Nancy Pelosi looks good by pushing this across.

Let’s see how or if this changes they types of political changes she backs.

Dianne Feinstein, as chair of the Rules Committee, oversees the Senate food service. No changes have been approved over there. But it is apparently not for her lack of trying.