Maryland Green Leadership Awards

By On · Add Comment · In Our Food, Sustainability

La Prima Food Group recently received the 2013 Maryland Green Leadership Award. This prestigious award is a validation of our ongoing efforts to create a culture of sustainability throughout our company.

“This Award honors the highest level of commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices,” said Secretary Robert M. Summers, Maryland Department of the Environment. “La Prima Catering truly demonstrates the leadership our state needs to help build a sustainable future.”

La Prima was recognized as an industry leader in sustainable practices such as:

  • Gardens and Partner Farms: Each week our kitchens include farm fresh, organically grown produce in all meals.  In addition, the special events division, Catering by Seasons, specializes in farm to table celebrations with produce, fruit, meats, dairy and flowers sourced locally from our sustainable partner farms.
  • Energy Independence: La Prima’s Maryland kitchens operate using renewable Wind energy credits from Clean Currents. Through the use of wind power, we are able to reduce dependence on coal and other non-renewables.
  • Environmental education: One of the most important parts of La Prima’s Green Leadership is proactive education of staff, clients and the community. Farm ‘field trips’, garden training sessions, company-wide environmental statements and kitchen evaluations allow us to create a “culture of sustainability” among employees. Staff are also able to relay useful information to clients, family and the surrounding community, truly bringing their work home and taking the company’s green efforts to heart.

“We are extremely proud that our ongoing efforts to be the greenest, most sustainable caterer in Maryland and the entire Mid-Atlantic region have been recognized by this prestigious award,” said La Prima President Dave Evans. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of our hard-working staff and our loyal customers, who consistently demonstrate their commitment to delicious, healthful, locally sourced and elegant food and events.”

To learn more about the awards and the other winners, please take a look at the Maryland Green Registry website: http://mde.maryland.gov/marylandgreen/Pages/LeadershipWinners.aspx

We look forward to continuously improving our environmental efforts in the years to come.

Spring in the Garden

By On · Add Comment · In Garden and Partner Farms

Since early-March, our gardeners have been working hard in our urban garden and things are finally shaping up!

Our tomato plants are getting bigger everyday and fresh basil is poking through the soil.

Along with our organic growing methods, we also focus on sustainability and conservation. Our irrigation system, much like the systems in place at Groundworks Farm, utilize a series of hoses that pump water directly to each individual plant instead of spraying through the air.  This is known as localized irrigation and it allows us to conserve hundreds of gallons of water in comparison to traditional sprinkler units.

To learn more about these sustainability efforts, contact us today at info@laprimacatering.com or by calling 301.220.1001.

Farm to Table Wedding in Accokeek, Maryland

By On · Add Comment · In Catering by seasons, Event Ideas, Events, Garden and Partner Farms, Our Food, Seeds to Celebrations, Sustainability

Longview Farm Wedding - Accokeek, MD

On May 4th, 2013, our full service division, Catering by Seasons ventured to rural Accokeek, Maryland for our first farm to table wedding reception of the year!  With fresh seasonal food and beautiful farm accents, this spring celebration was one to remember.

Longview Farm Wedding - Catering by Seasons

Longview Farm Wedding - Accokeek - Catering by Seasons

Longview Farm Wedding - Accokeek - Catering by Seasons

Longview Farm Wedding - Catering by Seasons

The bride and groom said their vows on the family’s own historic farm in Accokeek, Maryland, with a beautiful view of the vast Potomac River, Mount Vernon and Washington, DC.  The mother and father of the bride worked to raise all of the meats used for the wedding dinner – making this a truly unique farm to table event. Catering by Seasons was happy to partner with the family throughout the planning process.

A full pork roast and succulent ribs were served fresh from the grill and paired with a charming family style meal.

Next to the lovely rustic details and great cultural accents, the food was just one of many things to brag about!  Our own Chef Kyle Vermeulen raved that the farm fresh beef was the best he had ever had!

Longview Farm Wedding - Pig Roast with Catering by Seasons

Longview Farm Wedding - Catering by Seasons

The bride and groom radiated happiness on this wonderful sunny day.  It was a pleasure to be a part of their celebration and we wish them the very best.

Longview Farm Wedding - Accokeek, MD - Catering by Seasons

Washingtonian Green Awards

By On · Add Comment · In Catering by seasons, Events, Our Food, Sustainability

Washingtonian Green Awards - Mezza Station

Our full service division, Catering by Seasons was proud to participate in the award ceremony for Washingtonian’s Green Giants.

As the highest-rated green caterer in the Washington metropolitan area, we were excited to take on this fabulous celebration.  We commend those honored on the night of May 7th, 2013 and we look forward to a new era of sustainability.

Washingtonian Green Awards - Mezza Station with Catering by Seasons

The hit of the night was the beautifully decorated mezza station with fresh hummus and edamame spread garnished with zatar, imported Italian and Greek olives, stuffed grape leaves, baba ghanoush, feta cheese with mint, tabouleh, mixed nuts and pita bread with sesame crackers.

Washingtonian Green Awards - Mezza Station with Catering by Seasons

Tables around the gallery were adorned with succulent centerpieces that added to the ‘green’ atmosphere and signage from Washingtonian showed off the pioneering individuals who earned these prestigious awards.

Washingtonian Green Awards at Pepco Gallery, DC

Washingtonian Green Awards - Specialty Drinks with Catering by Seasons

Washingtonian Green Awards - Specialty Drinks with Catering by Seasons

Catering by Seasons offered a spectacular bar with Apricot Sangria, The Green Giant (acai spirit and Honest Tea honey ginger tea), Superfruit Lemonade and an assortment of red and white wines.

Washingtonian Green Awards - The Chocolate Chick

 

Brightly colored candies and sweets were provided by The Chocolate Chick.  Her set up was so bright and whimsical and the assortment of candies were simply amazing.

Washingtonian Green Awards - Hors d'oeuvres

The passed hors d’oeuvres designed by our own Chef Kyle Vermeulen were also a delight.  Between the picks of beef filet, butternut squash cubes, balsamic strawberry crostini and lamb medallions, miniature risotto cakes and golden gazpacho, the crowd certainly did not go hungry.

Washingtonian Green Awards - Hors d'oeuvres

For more great photos, please take a look at the Washingtonian Blog and check out our Facebook Page.

A Field Trip to Groundworks Farm

By On · Add Comment · In Garden and Partner Farms, Seeds to Celebrations, Sustainability

On Monday, May 6th, the sales and event managers of La Prima and Catering by Seasons woke up bright and early to venture onto the farm.  We were excited to learn more about Groundworks Farm and what it truly means to be farm to table.

Upon our arrival, we were given a great tour of the land – through it’s open pasture and 40+ acres of agricultural land.

The farm’s two greenhouses were flourishing with activity as many of the crops had sprouted just in time for spring transplanting.  Farmer Margaret Evans spoke about the wide variety of different vegetables, flowers and herbs being grown.  From gooseberries to eggplant and beyond, there were dozens of different varieties.  Of course there were also the staples – tomatoes, lettuce and basil – along with many more!

Margaret then took us out to the fields to show the complicated irrigation system and different methods of planting.  She pulled out tiny lettuce plants and little leaves of baby spinach to show of the early spring roots.

After a lunch of grilled pasture raised chicken and stuffed portobello mushrooms, we were ready to get our hands dirty.  The staff of La Prima and Vin 909, a farm to table restaurant and wine cafe located in Annapolis, joined together to transplant an entire greenhouse of tomato plants!  Row upon row, we dug holes, planted and watered for much of the afternoon.

Through this experience, we all gained important insight on how to further improve our environmental practices and bring our customers the very best of farm to table food.

After a hard day’s work, the staff of La Prima gathered around the tractor to take one last picture.  Dirty, tired and fully enriched, we piled into the van for our drive back to the city.