NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has launched a pilot program aimed at achieving “net zero” catering at the venue.
With more than 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space, NOENMCC is the sixth-largest convention center in the United States and provides the largest single exhibit space in the country. Recently, NOENMCC was awarded a LEED Gold certification, making it the largest convention center project in the country to achieve this.
According to a media release, the “convention center continues its commitment to offering green events with low impact” through its latest catering procedures, including a net zero lunch pilot program, zero waste meal offerings, and reusable serving ware.
On March 27 and 28, NOENMCC held two experimental luncheons in which all serving ware and food items were recycled or composted. The “Net Zero” luncheon led to a massive compost donation to a local organization, Schmelly’s Dirt Farm. Materials from those luncheons will be converted into fertile soil for New Orleans-area gardens. All unserved meals were donated to Bethel Colony in New Orleans, an addiction treatment non-profit serving local people in need. In addition, diners were encouraged to use the facility’s water bottle refilling stations, saving 4,000 plastic bottles from landfills over the days.
Inspired to make use of trash-bound ingredients, NOENMCC’s executive chef Brandon Felder created a “zero waste meal” on May 2 during WasteExpo using surplus foods, including leftover coffee. The menu started with a spring salad featuring strawberries left over from breakfast. The entree combined surplus seafood to create crab claw salad, and a crawfish and crab cheesecake finished with a BBQ sauce made from unused Abita Amber beer from the bar stock. Felder used surplus po-boy loaves and leftover coffee from breakfast to craft a bread pudding dessert with chicory coffee caramel sauce. The meal was served in a clean dumpster at NOENMCC as an immersive experience for eliminating excess waste.
On April 15, NOENMCC hosted 8,000 guests for its largest plated meal service since the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests enjoyed their meal on more than 10,000 pieces of reusable china, which are now available to rent as part of the convention center’s larger catering offerings for a more sustainable event.
According to a news release, these food waste programs are part of an initiative to reduce impacts and provide greener options and will now be available to event planners hosting their meetings and conventions at the venue as a dining option for attendees.
