Caterers find DNC eco-standards tough to chew

Thomas McCracken with Green Earth Farm in Saguache, CO tends to his certified organic produce. (Photo: Barry Staver/The Denver Post)

Fried foods, styrofoam plates and bottled water are forbidden at the DNC Host Committee's 22 or so sponsored parties this August, reports Douglas Brown. And so is liquid served in individual plastic containers. Plates must be reusable, like china, recyclable or compostable. The food should be local, organic or both.

And caterers must provide foods in "at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white," garnishes not included, according to a Request for Proposals, or RFP, distributed last week.

The prospect of the DNC business windfall has tantalized caterers since Denver was named host city for the convention more than a year ago.
Caterers praise the committee and Denver for their green ambitions, but some say they're baffled by parts of the RFP.

"I think it's a great idea for our community and our environment. The question is, how practical is it?" asks Nick Agro, the owner of Whirled Peas Catering in Commerce City. "We all want to source locally, but we're in Colorado. The growing season is short. It's dry here. And I question the feasibility of that."

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