On April 27, the 2011 Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) will be held at the Sheraton Santa Monica Hotel. Now in its 16th year, the SQA honors local businesses and organizations for their achievements in sustainability, economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environment.
Two Grand Prizes will be given at the awards luncheon to P.S. 1 Elementary School and LAcarGUY. Four winners in the Excellence category will also be announced,
P.S. 1 is a school that emphasizes a holistic approach to education with environmental sustainability incorporated into all aspects of the school, from curriculum to construction and renovations. LAcarGUY is the Number One hybrid dealer in the world, selling a wide variety of car manufactures at a wide range of prices.
The four Excellence Awards will be given to Gorman and Miller, a law firm that participates in environmental programs and practices sustainability in its office operations; Lotus East-West Medical Center, a holistic primary care center that offers acupuncture, oriental and naturopathic medicine, medical and osteopathic doctors, and was the first holistic medical facility to receive Santa Monica Green Business Certification in 2007; MINARC, a design studio offering sustainable design, environmentally conscious construction, and use of recycled materials; and Schaffer’s Genuine Foods, an environmentally conscious catering service.
Four out of the six Sustainable Quality Award Winners, including both of the Grand Prize winners, participated in the Sustainable Works Business Greening Program, a free service for businesses located in Santa Monica.
Dean Kubani, Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment, commented that “These businesses engage in voluntary practices that generate less waste, conserve energy and water, and reduce traffic and pollution. Our hope is that we can promote a business climate where all businesses can achieve the level of commitment to sustainability these award winners demonstrate.”
The theme for this year’s SQA is “sustainable food.” During the reception hour from 11 a.m. to noon, guests will be able to sample culinary bites from executive chefs Collin Crannell of The Lobster; Nicholas Schipp of Upper West; Alex Moreno of Border Grill; and chefs from Locanda del LAGO and Whole Foods Market. Each chef will be partnered with a local farmer from the Santa Monica Farmers Market to prepare the all-sustainable menu. The luncheon (also sustainable) will be prepared by Charlie and Kathleen Schaffer of Schaffer’s Genuine Foods and Octavio Sabado of the Sheraton Delfina.
Evan Kleiman, host of KCRW’s “Good Food” and chef/owner of Angeli Caffe, will be the keynote speaker. Kleiman is an active speaker on the issue of food sustainability. Emceeing the event will be Sarah Backhouse, nominated as one of the 50 current and emerging female leaders of the year by the Advance Women’s Leadership Summit and current anchor of The Planet 100 for Discovery’s Planet Green.
In addition, Mary Sue Milliken, owner of Border Grill and former SQA winner, will be speaking as a local about the importance of sustainability in business and in restaurant operation.
Exhibitors during the reception will include Office Depot, UCLA Extension, Perma City Solar, Solar Santa Monica, Energy Upgrade California, Border Grill, Sustainable Works, Locanda del LAGO, The Lobster, Schaffer’s Genuine Foods, Sheraton Santa Monica, Upper West, Whole Foods Market.
The awards will begin with the reception at 11 a.m. The Sheraton is located at 530 Pico Boulevard. Tickets are $60 for Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce members, $65 for non-members. Please reserve tickets by calling 310.393.9825
