Sunday, September 7, 2008

Bi-Rite Street Fair

Example of a green street fair...

This last weekend I was pulled out of the office by a friend to enjoy the day and check out the Bi-Rite Market Street Fair. It was one of those 80 degree, no fog Early-September San Francisco days that was torturous to be inside at the computer.

Sweet organic corn, Niman Ranch Pork and bean salads, Bi-Rite ice cream with chocolate syrup, watermelon drinks, and hot dogs were a few of the treats being sold at this foodie schmorgusborg. For show they were roasting a pig in the middle of the street, which was apparently going to be turned into sandwiches and sold the next day.



Bi-Rite is the epicenter of fine, local and organic foods in San Francisco. They have their Bi-Rite Creamery just down the street with flavors such as Salted Caramel and Balsamic Strawberry. The Bi-Rite Market is packed to the gills with organic delicacies perfect to spice up your own dinner party, bring as a gift or pack as a picnic in Delores Park. Did you know they have a catering service?

So it was only natural that their waste management sorting system was worthy of any green event. They offered trash, recycling and compost with clear and direct signage of what goes in which bin. For example the cups were all recyclable while the rest of the serving ware was compostable. The waste bins noted specifically that. I can only guess that the choice to do recyclable cups was a cost and recyclability issue that is important to examine when procuring disposables for your event – What goes in must go out so be sure to look at where it will end up…

After devouring a large lunch meal and many small sides I rolled myself back into my office – fat and happy to be filled with well prepared and grown food.