From the Huffington Post:

While restaurants in western North Carolina have long been in the forefront of the local foods "farm to table" movement, a unique collaboration between the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute (BRSI) and the Asheville Independent Restaurant (AIR) Association places North Carolina's popular mountain town into the front ranks of "America's Greenest Dining Destinations."

"The community spirit and commitment to collaboration among these restaurateurs is remarkable," noted Tim Ballard, BRSI's Green Restaurant project manager.

Going beyond light bulbs and good intentions on this year's upcoming Earth Day, April 22, an extraordinary array of restaurants has taken a huge step and signed on to a "comprehensive green restaurant certification program," dealing with larger issues of waste management, energy efficiency and chemical reductions to water. With a focus on sustainability, participants are also taking part in a "buddy system" on local suppliers, green ideas and clean energy developments.

"The Asheville restaurants understand going green is the right thing to do," said Randy Talley,
co-owner of the Green Sage and founding Chair of the AIR Green Team. "It's good for the community, good for the planet, and good for our bottom line."