Honoring Sustainable Food Leaders

Farmers across the country are switching to sustainable practices, and the NRDC will recognize their dedication with the second annual Growing Green Awards. A panel of expert judges that included food author Michael Pollan and A.G. Kawamura, California's secretary of agriculture, chose the winners.

The awards honor achievements in several categories, but the grand prize went to Russ Lester, the owner of Dixon Ridge Farms, a walnut plantation, for his plan to make the farm energy self-sufficient by 2012, among other accomplishments.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, consider attending the Growing Green awards ceremony, which will be held later this month at a local jazz club. Need some incentive? Michael Pollan will be there!

Speaking of sustainable food (rather, coffee - we know how much you like your coffee), though they're not one of the NRDC's honorees, the Smithsonian Museums recently switched to serving coffee that's organic, fair-trade, bird-friendly, and shade-grown. Coffee doesn't get much eco-friendlier than that. It's a big deal considering how much coffee they serve each month - around 50,000 cups. The Bird Friendly label is the Smithsonian's favorite part of the deal: Their Migratory Bird Center certifies the beverage. 

--Sophie Matson