Yellowstone’s Healthy, Sustainable Food Lauded by National Park Service with 2015 Environmental Achievement Award
For Immediate Release
Photos Available
Yellowstone National Park, November 12, 2015 – Thanks to a years-long, and ever-expanding effort by restaurants in Yellowstone National Park, visitors can be assured of a wide range of fresh, healthy food choices. And the National Park Service (NPS) has recognized that ongoing initiative with a 2015 Environmental Achievement Award.
Each of the 17 restaurants operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers menu items that use as many sustainable ingredients as possible. In 2014, the percentage of sustainable sourced food in the park was 38 percent, and that number continues to grow as more local farmers and suppliers make more choices available. Each restaurant also includes an array of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan menu items as well as numerous healthy choices on the children’s menus.
“Our entire food and beverage team is committed to providing the highest quality food while minimizing our environmental footprint as much as possible, and those combined objectives have resulted in some seriously innovative and popular menu options,” said Jim McCaleb, general manager of Yellowstone National Park Lodges. “And we know that we are not only contributing to the health of our guests, we are also contributing to a healthier planet by supporting local farmers and food systems.”
Some of the most popular sustainable menu items this summer included Smoked Wild Alaska Salmon Club Sandwich at the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room, Farm-Raised Bison Short Ribs at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room and the Idaho Red Trout Hash from the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room.
“Numerous guests have told us that the food experience was an important and memorable part of their Yellowstone experience,” said McCaleb.
In presenting the award, the National Park Service noted that the company’s commitment to sustainable food and community development fostered the support of sustainable communities by providing healthy, natural, local and affordable food options for more than two million annual meals served. At the same time, park restaurants help to stimulate local food systems, drive economic growth and minimize negative environmental impacts associated with farming, ranching and transportation.
Information about restaurants and full menus can be found online. A summary of YNPL’s sustainability programs is also available online.
Reservations and complete details about packages, accommodations, restaurants and activities in Yellowstone can be found by calling (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free 866-GEYSERLAND (866-439-7375), or visiting the web site www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com.