ZFP Members join Anthony Myint at James Beard events in Los Angeles and Denver.
ZFP Executive Director Anthony Myint
Photo by Emily Bucholz
This fall, Zero Foodprint joined The James Beard Foundation at events in Los Angeles and Denver to address the growing impacts of climate change on independent restaurants, chefs, and the local economies they support. The events provided a platform for chefs, farmers, and policymakers to discuss how climate change and extreme weather events are disrupting the food supply chain and threatening the economic viability of local restaurants and farms. The conversation highlighted the need for federal solutions, particularly with regard to the upcoming Farm Bill and climate-smart agriculture funding provided through the Inflation Reduction Act.
ZFP Executive Director Anthony Myint presented alongside ZFP members Mina Park and Kwang Uh of Baroo in Los Angeles, as well as ZFP Member Kelly Whitaker of Id Est Hospitality in Denver. As Zero Foodprint members, Mina, Kwang, and Kelly contribute a portion of restaurant sales to fund grants for farmers implementing regenerative practices.
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The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, while pushing for new standards in the restaurant industry to create a future where all have the opportunity to thrive. Established over 30 years ago, the Foundation has highlighted the centrality of food culture in our daily lives and is committed to supporting a resilient and flourishing industry that honors its diverse communities. By amplifying new voices, celebrating those leading the way, and supporting those on the path to do so, the Foundation is working to create a more equitable and sustainable future—what we call Good Food for Good®. JBF brings its mission to life through the annual Awards, industry and community-focused programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country. For the first time in the Foundation’s history, exceptional culinary talent, industry leaders, and visitors from NYC and beyond can experience unforgettable dining and educational programming at Platform by the James Beard Foundation—and be the first to try new food concepts at the Good To Go by JBF kiosk—inspiring food and beverage devotees for decades to come.
Photos by Emily Bucholz
Why Independent Restaurants Matter
Independent restaurants are more than just places to eat—they are vital contributors to the U.S. economy. Nationally, they employ over 3.9 million workers, generate $209 billion in revenue annually, and support countless local businesses, including small and mid-sized farms. In Colorado alone, there are more than 13,000 restaurant locations and 69% of them are independently owned. The industry supports 303,000 jobs, 11% of the state’s workforce, and generates $426 million in state sales tax each year. Colorado restaurants are engines of the state’s economy - generating more than $20 billion in revenue.
ZFP Member Kelly Whitaker:
“In order to win against climate change it’s necessary to push solutions into the mainstream. This is the defining mindset of our kitchens.”
About Zero Foodprint Membership
Zero Foodprint is all about this thing called Collective Regeneration.
We’re convinced that we can fight climate change and grow better food with better farming practices. These practices take time, labor, and resources to establish, and historically farms have been expected to bear the brunt of the financial risk to change their practices. After decades of climate initiatives, it’s become clear that nobody can make this transformation on their own.
Zero Foodprint pools contributions from all different parts of the food system to make dollars go further. We then equitably distribute those funds via grants to farmers. By directly funding better farming practices, contributions from independent restaurants can help solve the climate crisis while attracting climate-conscious customers and increasing employee satisfaction.
ZFP Members Mina Park and Kwang Uh of Baroo LA.
Photo by Emily Bucholz
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Zero Foodprint (ZFP) is a nonprofit organization restoring the climate, one acre at a time. We believe that by regenerating soil, local food economies can play a critical role in reversing the global climate crisis. We work with food and beverage businesses, philanthropy, and government to bring the next dollar to implement the next regenerative practice on the next acre. This regenerative economy benefits every person who grows food, every person who sells food, and every person on this planet who eats food.
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