March FED Feature - Zambri's
Starting this month, we’re doing something a little different here at the Food Eco District (FED). The FED team has begun work with our member restaurants to feature a sustainable item or dish that will be served for one month. Each time the FED feature is ordered, $1 will go towards helping our team continue to green our streets and expand urban agriculture in Victoria! This is such an exciting initiative for us and we wanted to support this even further by showcasing how sustainability is in the heart of FED member kitchens.
March FED Feature - Zambri's
Creating mouth watering dishes since 1999, Zambri’s has become one of the top Italian restaurants in the city. They have been a FED member since 2015 (one of our first!) and continue to push themselves to become eco-friendlier each year. They currently hold a GOLD level certification with the Vancouver Island Green Business Collective and are Surfrider approved.
Throughout the month of March, Zambri’s is incorporating deliciously fresh, local and organic baby carrots in various dishes by partnering with Littlest Acre Organics, a small-scale family farm producing over 50 crops on two acres in rural Saanich. They specialize in high-quality vibrant produce while maintaining an integrated farm system. Their food is grown for the community naturally, by hand, with passion. However, the partnership between Zambri’s and Little Acres Organics isn’t new. They’ve been working together for over four years, something they consider important for the quality of their products, for the environment and for the local economy.
Environmental issues and the consumer ethics behind today’s agricultural operations are increasingly questionable and by teaming up with local farmers, restaurants ensure seasonal, fresh ingredients without the carbon footprint. It also keeps our local agriculture and local economy strong!
Buying local isn’t the only sustainable practice Zambri’s believes in. Sustainability starts from the moment their staff walk through the door with environmental sustainability incorporated into the hiring process, employee orientations, and training programs. They also measure their emissions and have worked closely with Synergy Enterprises to create reduction plans and targets to meet, as well as offsetting their emissions with verified carbon credits. The next time you get a hankering for a fork twirling pasta or juicy meatball, visit Zambri’s at 820 Yates St. and ask them about the FED feature!
Check out @ZambrisVictoria or follow along to stay up to date with each month's feature: @FoodEcoDistrict
Littlest Acre Organics has a popular CSA that includes the best of what's in season and they are now accepting 2020 CSA subscribers - find out more by emailing littlest.acre.csa@gmail.com or follow along at @Littlest.Acre.Organics
