Help NYC get more Sustainable Restaurants

The Sustainable Restaurant Corps
Funding for: Business Plan, Hardware, Software & Training

about my venture

NEW VIDEO courtesy of TEDxManhattan 2011

There's more to making a restaurant "Green" than installing energy efficient hand dryers. To tell us all about it is Elizabeth Meltz, Director of Food Safety and Sustainability for Mario Batali and Joe & Lidia Bastianich.  

Every restaurant deserves an "Elizabeth Meltz" to help them become more sustainable and that's exactly what SRC will do.  I met with her last week. She was very supportive and had great suggestions.  I'll keep you posted 

Cheers-- Christine

The Sustainable Restaurant Corps will be a non-profit that helps restaurants in NYC become more environmentally sustainable.  We will work directly with restaurants to help them use less energy and water, to create less waste and to recycle and compost the rest.  We also want to help restaurants use more local, organic, and seasonal food. After the restaurants have done the work we will rate them and submit those ratings to web sites like Yelp and Open Table so the public will know which restaurants are doing right by the planet.  

Consulting services to the restaurants will be free and supported by individual memberships that will entitle members to discounts and invites to special events.  We will sign up affiliate suppliers and contractors and we will also seek funding from foundations, government, and individuals.

Funding from Peerbackers will help us complete our business plan, pay for branding materials and graphics, a starter web site, software and training, and start-up hardware for creating our initial database of existing sustainable restaurants.  We also need to pay expenses related to obtaining our non-profit status.  

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    days to go

    $250.00

    funded of $5,000.00

    $4,750.00

    still needed

  • 5% funded

  • 8 peers have backed this project.
    Want to join them?

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  • elevator pitch

    Peerbacker support will cover start up costs related to establishing a non-profit and beginning our database of Sustainable Restaurants.

  • backer rewards

  • Give us a Thumbs Up

    ...And tell all your friends you supported the campaign. We will add your name to our list of supporters, include you on our mailing list and send you updates about the campaign.

    6 backers

    $10.00+ pledge

  • Support our TEDxManhattan Event

    For those who attended or RSVP'd for the TEDx event a donation at this level will get your name on the list of early donors on our web site. And if you couldn't make it, we will send you a program from the event.

    1 backers

    $15.00+ pledge

  • Susty Supporter

    If everyone I sent an email to donated at this level we would meet our goal and beyond. Your support at this level will put you on our supporter list. You will receive our newsletter and email updates PLUS you get invitations to exclusive events.

    1 backers

    $25.00+ pledge

  • Tree of Life Rosary

    Lauren Van Leuven usually makes one of a kind beaded rosaries, earrings and cuffs featuring skulls, hearts and roses. But for SRC she has made a rosary featuring the tree of life. If you like what you see, be a donor and take this lucky charm home with you. You have a choice of gold or silver for the pendant and red, blue, green, purple, clear, silver or iridescent for the beads. We will ask you to choose at the end of the campaign. You can see more of Lauren's work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/laurenvanleuven

    0 backers

    $60.00+ pledge

  • American Wasteland Book

    “Humorous, shocking, depressing , hopeful-  Jonathan Bloom’s book American Wasteland paints a frightening portrait of Americans’ wasteful practices and our ingrained, superficial prejudices that contribute to this culture of waste. However, Bloom’s book offers suggestions and possibilities to change our course, and with so many American children going hungry- this book should be required reading!” – Mario Batali Paperback edition plus you're added to our list of supporters.

    0 backers

    $60.00+ pledge

  • Spiritual Healing Package

    Bridget Murphy is a spiritual healer and medium. She is offering her 1 1/2 hour energy reading and spiritual counseling service for a donation of $100 with a discount of 20% off the next healing service. More information about what Bridget offers can be found at her web site. http://bim-energyvisions.com/bimenergyvisions/intention.html

    0 backers

    $100.00+ pledge

  • Need a writer? This reward is for you

    Michael Jay is an communications professional and strategist who is offering three hours of consultation for a donation of $100. Do you have language on your web site that could use improvement, or a product or service in need of promotion? Michael can help you with rewrites and marketing strategies. Progressive efforts especially welcome. More details about Michael can be found at http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=11773014&trk=tab_pro

    0 backers

    $100.00+ pledge

  • Become a Susty Member

    For ten bucks a month you are entitled to a year of discounts at your favorite Susty restaurants (subject to availability). Discounts will range from 5-20% on meals at Susty rated establishments. News on which restaurants are participating in the program and more discount details will be available when the program starts. (members who sign up this year will receive half off the next years membership)

    0 backers

    $120.00+ pledge

  • Sustainable Sponsor

    This is for all the restaurants and business that service restaurants who are walking the walk. Support Sustainable Restaurants at the Sponsor level and you'll receive an ad on our web site for 6 months. Want more details? Just ask.

    0 backers

    $250.00+ pledge
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about entrepreneur

Christine Black

Founder / The Sustainable Restaurant Corps

Christine brings a wide range of experiences to her newest entrepreneurial venture. For the last ten years she has been a journalist focused on environmental and sustainability issues. They include toxic waste, solar architecture, nuclear power and the battle over Fracking. She owned a documentary production company and worked in TV and radio including internships with the Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC and in the WBAI Newsroom. She also spent time as the news editor and presenter for WBAI’s “Wake up Call”. Christine, started an environmental group in Indiana, was on the board of a food coop and has always been drawn to challenges. But one constant has been the restaurant industry. She started washing dishes at 13 and moved to the front of the house in high school where she was a busser and a server. She spent three years slinging wings at the Anchor Bar where the Buffalo Chicken Wing was invented. For the last four years she has worked at Inside Park at St. Barts as a bartender and server and that’s where the idea for the Sustainable Restaurant Corps was born. She looks forward to bringing her second entrepreneurial venture to life and making a real difference for the planet, the restaurant business and the people who make either one or both their home.