Member Categories

A.  REGULAR

B.  GUARANTEED GREEN RESTAURANT

C.  SUPPLIER OF GCRC ENDORSED PRODUCTS

D.  STUDENT/ FACULTY/ CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

E.  SPONSOR

F.   INDIVIDUAL


A. REGULAR MEMBER:

Included in this category: Restaurants, caterers, hotels, hospitals, museums, stadiums, schools, contract feeders, taverns, bars, night clubs, private clubs, vending companies, or any other food service operators that hold food dispensing licenses.  Also included in this category are all other businesses interested in associating with holders of food dispensing licenses that are trying to become more sustainable.  Food Service Members with more than one restaurant in their company should calculate their annual sales based on total sales of all restaurants in the company

B. GUARANTEED GREEN RESTAURANT MEMBER:

Included in this category: Any Food Service Member who becomes certified as a GCRC Guaranteed Green facility at anytime during the membership year. Discounts earned by becoming certified during the membership year will be applied to the next year’s dues

C.  SUPPLIER OF GCRC ENDORSED PRODUCTS

Included in this category: Any company that manufactures or sells a product or provides a service that has been endorsed by the GCRC.

  • In order for a product to qualify for a GCRC endorsement, that product must fulfill the following requirements:

1.    It must have first been approved by an independent 3rd party certifying agency generally recognized within that industry for its credibility in validating the sustainability claims of the product. (e.g. Green Seal Certified cleaning supplies.) The entire product line need not have been approved in order for the company to qualify as a GCRC Endorsed Business Member.

Approved certifying agencies include, but are not limited to:

  • Green Seal (multiple product certifications)
  • Green Restaurant Association (restaurant and related products       certifications)
  • Animal Welfare Approved (humane treatment of animals)
  • Food Alliance (sustainable farming practices)
  • Certified Organic (USDA National Organic Program)
  • Certified Naturally Grown (sustainable farming practices)
  • Certified Humane (humane treatment of animals)
  • American Humane Association (humane treatment of animals)
  • American Grass Fed Association  (100% grass fed animal certification)
  • ASTM D6400 (compostable products)
  • ASTM D6868  (compostable products)
  • BPI (compostable products)
  • B Corporation (sustainable businesses)
  • Demeter Biodynamic (sustainable farm certification)
  • Cedar Grove (compostable products)
  • EcoLogo (compostable products)
  • Forest Stewardship Council (paper products)
  • Marine Stewardship Council (sustainable fish)
  • Green Shield (pest control)
  • GreenPro   (pest control)
  • Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (printing services)
  • Processed Chlorine Free (paper products)
  • Totally Chlorine Free (paper products)
  • Energy Star Rated (equipment & appliances)

2.   The product or representative samples of the product line must have been field tested for efficacy for a minimum of 30 days by a GCRC Member.

  • In order for a service to qualify for a GCRC endorsement, that service must fulfill the following requirements: 

1.   A member of the GCRC Steering Committee, or its designee, must meet with the principals of the service provider at their place of business to fully understand the nature of the business and the corporate culture.

2.   The service must be tested by a member of the GCRC Steering Committee, or its designee, for such time as is necessary give a clear indication of that service’s efficacy and reliability.

3.   The service will be retested in a similar manner every other year, or as needed, based on user feedback.

4.   The GCRC must be presented with all applicable business licensing materials pursuant to the services being provided.

5.    The GCRC Steering committee must approve the business by a 2/3 majority vote.


D.  STUDENT/ FACULTY/ CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

Included in this category: Currently enrolled students and active faculty members of any public or private school, including students and faculty of culinary schools; also included in this category are any valid 501c3 or other verifiable non-profit organizations.

E.   SPONSOR

Only Guaranteed Green Restaurants, parent companies thereof, or Suppliers of GCRC Endorsed Products will qualify for sponsorship opportunities

For more information, or to sign up for a membership with a sponsorship option, please contact Eloise Karlatiras at 312.787.1096

F.   INDIVIDUAL
  Included in this category: all individual members