Green Label for Restaurants, Bars and Cafes, Tel Aviv: Urban Food Policy Snapshot

Part of the Food Policy Snapshot Series

Food Policy Snapshot: Green Label for Restaurants, Bars and Cafes

Overview: The city of Tel Aviv, in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Standards Institute of Israel, has created a “Green Label for Restaurants, Bars and Cafes.” The “Green Label” is issued to restaurants, bars and cafes that adopt an environmentally friendly code of conduct and food waste regulations. The Green Label program facilitates the “greening” of interested businesses through training resources and capacities.

Location: Tel Aviv, Israel

  • Population: 411,800 (2012 UN data)
  • Tel Aviv is the second most populous city in Israel; Tel Aviv has the second largest economy in the Middle East (after Abu Dhabi)

Program Initiated: 2016

Progress to date: The pilot-phase has been completed (included 25 businesses); 50 additional businesses are planned for 2016.

Food policy category: Food supply and distribution; Food services

Program goals:

  • To support businesses in the food sector in adopting environmentally friendly  practices which contribute to their business development
  • To promote locally sourced foods, vegan/vegetarian options and organic products
  • To prevent food waste through increased monitoring practices, enhanced food storage practices, and recycling/composting mandates
  • To reduce carbon and water footprints of businesses in the food sector

How it works:

Each year, to assist businesses in acquiring the Green Label, the municipality will offer a support package for a select number of businesses.

The support includes:

  • Up to 20 hours of personalized guidance on identifying and implementing cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions appropriate for each business.

Starting in 2016, the municipality will issue a call for all restaurants, cafes and bars in the city to volunteer to join the program.

To enhance motivation, the municipality promotes its Green Businesses through various media channels targeting residents and tourists from all over the world.

Why it is important:

  • The policy gives funding and resources for small and medium sized businesses to adopt profitable practices that are also good for the environment and city’s food supply.
  • The policy creates a communication channel between the city and the business sector that encourages social responsibility and environmental justice.

Evaluation:  Not yet available — 2015 pilot program has been successfully completed

Resources:  

  • “Greening Your Business Online Manual,” factsheets, toolkits and tips to adopt sustainable practices
  • Business-to-business meetings for program champions to share best practices
  • “Green Label Team” to provide personalized guidance at individual appointments
  • Marketing campaign to raise public awareness of and support for the “Green Label” businesses

Learn more:  Website of the Municipality of Tel-Aviv Jaffa (in Hebrew)

https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/Business/GreenBusiness/Pages/GreenBadge.aspx

Point of Contact:  Mr. Haran Bar-On, bar-on_h@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il

Similar practices: Lyon, France “Fair and Sustainable City label”

This information has been provided and confirmed by the Tel Aviv City Press Director.

References:

  • Forster, T., Egal, F., Renting, H., Dubbeling, M., & Escudero, A. (2015). “Milan Urban Food Policy Pact. Selected Good Practices from Cities.” Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, Milano: Italy.

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