Zero Waste at The Bite of Oregon

Recology coordinated the sustainability component of this year’s Bite of Oregon on August 12th, 13th and 14th of this year.

This year we are happy to announce because of Recology’s efforts The 2011 Bite of Oregon was a zero waste event. 99% of the materials discarded over the three day period were diverted from going to a landfill. Last year’s diversion rate was 81%, which is not bad at all. Achieving 99% diversion is more impressive though because this year’s Bite had close to 40,000 visitors from both near and far.

What does a zero waste success mean?

It means only 260 pounds of true waste were generated and sent to a landfill. Among those materials were soiled shrink wrap, soiled aluminum foil, wrappers, non-compostable packaging and baby diapers. It means the event was clean from start to finish, facilitated by great communication, education and effort.
It means that beyond the 99% diversion, over 1,200 people took the Recology pledge to reduce, reuse, recycle and Recologize™! There are now 1,200 more people who understand what we mean by WASTE ZERO.

Thank you Recology, and all those who helped in sorting through waste, for making this year’s Bite of Oregon truly sustainable. If you’re in the Portland area, get in touch with Recology by visiting their website.

Check out photos from this year's Bite of Oregon on our Facebook page.

The Bite of Oregon Kicks-off Year 28 with Momentum

Oregon’s top culinary showcase, the Bite of Oregon - now in its 28th year, follows a successful 2010 with a new 2011 presenting sponsor – Amica Insurance. An expected gathering of nearly 50,000 foodies, Oregon wine, and Oregon craft beer lovers will descend on Portland’s Waterfront Park August 12th through 14th to experience some of the best that Oregon has to offer.

The 2011 Bite promises to build on the popular new additions that debuted at last summer’s event: the Oregon Dessert Pavilion presented by Boyds Coffee, Portland Food Cart Cuisine, the Gerry Frank’s Oregon Chef’s Table presented by The Oregonian and the U.S. Bank’s Kids’ Faire. Important mainstay features return including the very popular Iron Chef Oregon competitions presented by NW Natural, the expanded Sysco’s Oregon Chef Stage, the popular Oregon Craft Beer Gardens featuring greater selection, continuous music and entertainment, and one of the largest Oregon wine tastings in the state taking place in the MIX Wine Pavilion.

“Special Olympics Oregon welcomes Amica Insurance to our family of Bite sponsorship partners,” Bite of Oregon, General Manager, Patty Brandts stated recently. “Amica Insurance was a great addition to the Bite in 2010 and we
welcome them to the Bite in 2011 and are thrilled to have them as our presenting sponsor.”

Debuting in 2011 is a brand new area called Sustainable Oregon, presented by Recology Portland, which will feature some of the state’s best “green” options. Oregon is knows as one of the top U.S. “green” cities in America.

The Bite of Oregon, burst onto the Portland event scene in 1984, and has introduced hundreds of the latest dishes from new and well-known restaurants, helped establish the popularity of the Oregon wine industry, and, most importantly, has raised needed dollars for Special Olympics Oregon. This year, Special Olympics Oregon encourages food, beverage and fun lovers to come and enjoy this always-improving Oregon summer tradition!

What: 28th Annual Bite of Oregon presented by Amica Insurance

When: August 12 – 14, 2011
- FRI, Aug 12, 2011 – 11am-10pm
- SAT, Aug 13, 2011 – 11am-10pm
- SUN, Aug 14, 2011 – 10am-8pm

Where: Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Portland, Oregon

Who: Oregon Restaurants and featured Chefs, over 120 menu Items,
over 25 Oregon wineries, celebrity chefs, over 30 flavors of
Oregon craft beer, 2 entertainment stages, Iron Chef Oregon
Competitions, Oregon Chef’s Stage, Oregon’s Chef Table, Dessert
Pavilion, Portland Food Cart Cuisine, and much more.

Why: Benefits Special Olympics Oregon

Check out The Bite of Oregon's Facebook for deals and giveaways that will be posted throughout the weekend

About Amica
Amica Mutual Insurance Company, the nation's oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907. The company, with corporate headquarters in Lincoln, RI, is a national writer of automobile, homeowners, marine and personal umbrella liability insurance. Life coverage is available through Amica Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. Amica employs more than 3,200 people in 40 offices across the country.

Do You Want to Meet Michelle Kwan?

WHEN: Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Portland Airport Red Robin restaurant
10005 NE Cascades Pkwy.
Portland, Ore. 97220

WHO: World-renowned figure skater, Member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and Coca-Cola Special Olympics Ambassador, Michelle Kwan; Special Olympics Oregon board chair Kerry Tymchuk along with Special Olympics representatives and athletes; local law enforcement; The Coca-Cola Company; and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin)

WHAT: Michelle Kwan will present a check in the amount of $744,615 to Special Olympics on behalf of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and The Coca-Cola Company. The funds were raised through in-restaurant fundraisers where 50 cents from every pairing of a Red Robin burger and Coca-Cola product sold at Red Robin benefitted Special Olympics, as well as during record-breaking Tip-A-Cop events. Tip-A-Cop is a program where law enforcement across the country trade in their handcuffs and badges to earn tips from Red Robin restaurant guests by filling beverages, and serving guests gourmet burgers and Bottomless® Steak Fries to benefit Special Olympics. Tip-A-Cop is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics which is the Movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle, encompassing a variety of events including Torch Runs, Polar Plunge® events and the World's Largest Truck Convoy® fundraisers.

WHY: Red Robin and Coca-Cola have been long time supporters of Special Olympics. Red Robin has been hosting Tip-A-Cop events for more than six years and has donated nearly $2 million to Special Olympics. One of Special Olympics’ longstanding corporate partners, The Coca-Cola Company has been supporting the organization since 1968. This is the first time Red Robin and Coca-Cola have teamed up to support Special Olympics together.

During a special check presentation, Michelle Kwan will present more than $744,000 to Special Olympics International on behalf of Red Robin and Coca-Cola. Special Olympics Oregon Board Chair Kerry Tymchuk will accept the funds on behalf of Special Olympics International.