Mar 19, 2014

HMSHost’s Startsomewhere® Sustainability Program a Finalist in National Restaurant Association’s

BETHESDA, MD—More than two million pounds of food donated to community food banks; 2.04 million bottles and cans recycled; 1.93 million pounds of composting donated—these are just a few of the ways global restaurateur HMSHost is impacting the environment and the communities where it operates, through the company’s startsomewhere® sustainability initiative.

HMSHost’s startsomewhere has been selected as a finalist in the Sustainability category of the National Restaurant Association’s 2014 Operator Innovations Awards, competing for a chance at being named the Top Innovator in the category and potentially the overall Innovator of the Year.

Through startsomewhere, HMSHost ensures sustainable practices are a part of all operations in airport and motorway restaurants and office spaces across the nation. The program includes three broad initiatives: The Environment, Nutrition and Wellness, and Community Partnerships.

“Sustainability is a very important part of HMSHost’s role in the communities we serve, as well as how we strive to preserve our environment in the course of business. For example, last year we recycled approximately 6.24 million pounds of used coffee, and donated 2.39 million pounds of food to community food banks across the country,” said HMSHost Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Yablun. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the National Restaurant Association, and are very proud of our associates that work hard every day to uphold the sustainability standards which have enabled startsomewhere to become a finalist for this significant award.”

HMSHost Director Josh Barone will represent HMSHost at the 2014 National Restaurant Association Show – held May 17-20 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. HMSHost Vice President of President of Supply Chain Linda Dunn will be attending as a member of the National Restaurant Association’s Conserve Sustainability Advisory Council, a group of 14 influential sustainability leaders, whose goal is to increase environmental awareness and practices in the restaurant industry.

The National Restaurant Association is the leading restaurant industry organization in the United States and this is the third consecutive year for the Operator Innovations Awards conference. The awards celebrate operators that are leading the advancement of the industry and judging is done by a non-partisan panel with extensive restaurant industry experience.

In 2013 HMSHost was awarded Innovator of the Year in the Menu Development category and was a finalist in the Food Safety category.