Ashley's Launches Green Initiative

SARASOTA, FL (April 22, 2009) -- In conjunction with its 10th Anniversary celebration and Earth Day, Ashley's Food Delivery has announced the launch of a new Green Initiative, an effort designed to reduce and offset the multi-restaurant delivery services's ecological footprint.

The Green Initiative begins with Ashley's new Plant-a-Tree Program. For every order placed, Ashley’s Food will plant a tree with Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization that plants trees in developing countries around the world. “This equates to over 12,000 trees planted per year - enough to eliminate the annual carbon emissions of approximately 30 typical American cars, year after year,” said co-owner Liz Sniegocki, who is heading up the Ashley’s Green Initiative.

In addition to planting trees, Ashley’s Food is making an effort to save trees as well. “Over the past 10 years, as our business has grown, so have the size of & demand for our printed menu guides. We recognize larger books, printed in higher quantities, equals higher paper consumption,” says Sniegocki. As an eco-friendly alternative, the company now offers an electronic menu guide. “On our website, customers can view individual restaurant menus or request an electronic menu guide via email, as well as place an order for delivery,” says Sniegocki. “Additionally, customers who order online receive an electronic receipt, allowing for an entirely paperless transaction.”

The Ashley’s Food Green Initiative also includes a education program focused on improving delivery professionals’ vehicle fuel-economy, the implementation of sustainable green business practices aimed at reducing paper consumption & increasing recycling efforts, and the development of an outreach program that will assist partner restaurants in choosing eco-friendly to-go packaging.

“We’re taking a close look at our operations across the board to determine ways we can reduce waste, conserve natural resources and operate in the most environmentally-responsible manner,” says Sniegocki. To support the efforts of their Green Initiative, Ashley’s Food Delivery is striving to achieve certification in the Sarasota County Green Business Partnership during 2009.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.