A beloved plant-based comfort food restaurant in Toronto has revamped its look to match its new groundbreaking sustainable menu. Parka Food Co., over the years, has built its brand around fun and nostalgic comfort food like their truffle mac and cheese. This time around, they have created a first-ever sustainable menu that supports local sourcing, global biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. This approach is based on the Future 50 Foods report by WWF and Knorr.
Changes you can expect at the brand include a new reusable container program to reduce packaging waste (launching in fall 2021). They will examine and minimize the impact of all product lifecycle stages, including sourcing, production and waste. They are also launching a glass jar return program which will include their packaged sauces and spices. All employees will be using sustainable uniforms and merchandise (shirts made from recycled plastic bottles, aprons made from recycled denim and hats made from organic cotton).
They have already achieved some commitments using renewable energy from Bullfrog Power -- a food waste reduction program and a daily waste sorting process to minimize what goes to landfills. Their store itself has also gone through a makeover to align with the new changes designed by the team at Model Ctzn.
Eric Chao, the restaurateur behind Parka Food Co., is on a mission to pursue his passion for creating a progressive plant-based food company. Before starting Parka, Chao was a longtime vegan and environmentalist who was constantly looking for ways to set new sustainability standards in the restaurant industry.
In a press release, the team shared, "We want to do everything we can to make an impact now, and to help address the urgency of climate change and to innovate, inspire, and push the boundaries on what it means to eat sustainably and be a sustainable food company."
With their grand opening earlier this month on August 12, the team at Parka Food Co. is looking forward to positively impacting their customers' health and the environment around us. Find them at 424 Queen St W. Toronto, ON.
