Meet Local – Margot McNeeley Forks it Over

“Oh really, Thomas? I had no idea…” (Rolling eyes)

I like food.

I like it a lot, and I like to eat out at Memphis’ restaurants a lot.  As much as I like to cook, I still find myself hitting up restaurants and eating their food.  I figure that it is my duty to support those that I care about (good excuse, eh?).  Well there are other people around town that also like food, and some (most) are doing way more than me to be supportive.

A Superhero Among Us

One woman in particular is helping change the way we think about our restaurants and the way that they affect our environment and our community. The other day I got a chance to talk to Margot McNeeley about food, Memphis’ restaurants, and her awesome organization, Project Green Fork.

In case you haven’t noticed, Margot and PGF have been popping up all over the place lately, in the Flyer and in the awesome I Love Memphis blog.

Project Green Fork contributes to a sustainable Mid-South by helping reduce environmental impacts, with a focus on strengthening homegrown restaurants.

We’ll do this thing in the ELMHIP format.  For those not familiar with acronyms, that is the Eat Local Memphis Hybrid Interview Play format.

The Great Interview

Starring

Margot McNeeley as Margot McNeeley

Eat Local Memphis as Eat Local Memphis

Act I – Ice Breakers

Eat Local Memphis: What do you like most about Memphis?

Margot McNeeley: The great locally owned restaurants, the friendliness of the people, the green landscape and the growth potential of the city. We have what it takes to be a great city and I think we’re on the right track to get there.

Have you always been a Memphian?

Although not born here,when I moved here 20 years ago, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

Who are your heroes?

Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Will Allen (Growing Power Inc.) and all the pioneers who start up their own business/organization out of a passion for doing the right thing. Aaron Shaefer of Skate Memphis is someone who immediately comes to mind.

Act II – The Project

What caused you to start up Project Green Fork?

I got sick of hearing myself complain about all the waste coming out of restaurants. If you find yourself complaining enough about something, you should do something about it instead of waiting for someone else to.

What is your favorite part of your job? Least favorite?

Favorite:  hearing from people that they specifically ate at a restaurant because of that restaurant’s green efforts. I LOVE helping local restaurants grow their customer base while decreasing their environmental impact.

Least:  The lack of funding, but we’re working on applying for grants so hopefully that will change. I’d love to hire someone to help with the workload.

Since your founding in 2008, Project Green Fork has certified 15 restaurants, with 8 working towards certification.  What does it take for a restaurant to get this certification?

We’ve certified 15 restaurants, have consulted with a variety of other organizations and are working to certify 11 restaurants. There are 6 steps that a restaurant has to do to be PGF certified:

1. Stop using styrofoam; replace with sustainable alternatives
2. Recycle
3. Compost
4. Replace toxic cleaners with non-toxic cleaners
5. Complete MLGW energy audit and take necessary steps in reducing water and energy consumption
6. Pollution Prevention

My blog is all about the local food scene in Memphis.  We have so many people and places that make this a great culinary community.  Don’t you feel great about making a lot of those places more sustainable and more environmentally friendly?

Absolutely! AND, I believe the restaurant owners, workers and customers feel great too.

I don’t own a restaurant, but I want to be supportive of the efforts of your organization.  What are some of my options as far as donating, volunteering, or advocating?

Volunteers needed! We need help picking up restaurant food scraps and taking them to community gardens. Support the restaurants that are PGF certified. Tell them you support their efforts. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with who’s certified and who’s working on their certification and visit our website often for updates. Forward PGF info to family and friends. We’re a non-profit, so donations help us continue our work.

Act III – Eating Well

Okay, let’s talk about food for a few minutes.  Brunch is one of my favorite activities of the week.  What local spots do you enjoy for the weekend’s ultimate meal?

I’m crazy about the brunch at Restaurant Iris.

What are the last 3 local restaurants that you went to?

Fuel Cafe, McEwans and Sweet Grass.

What is the best kept secret concerning Memphis’ food?

If you don’t already know, I can’t tell you. Sorry!

Bread and butter or toast and jam?

Hot freshly baked bread and salty butter. One of the best things in life! Pair that with some good wine and cheese and I’m all set.

Act IV – The Memorable Quote

How do you like your steak cooked?

No meat for me. “Animals are my friends … and I don’t eat my friends.”
–  George Bernard Shaw

Acta Est Fabula*

*The drama has been acted out -Augustus

To sum things up, Margot McNeeley is an awesome Memphian who is working to make our great restaurants even better.  If supporting Project Green Fork and environmental sustainability sounds good to you, then go out and eat at one of the participating places!

Certified

Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Bluefin, The Brushmark, Cafe Eclectic, Central BBQ

Fratelli’s, Just for Lunch, Miss Cordelia’s, Otherlands Coffee Bar

RP Tracks, Sekisui Midtown, Soul Fish Cafe, South of Beale, Tsunami

Certification in Process

Escape Alley Sundry, Felicia Suzanne’s, Fuel Cafe, Interim, Napa Cafe

River Oaks, Sweet Grass, Umai, Wade Catering Company

I know that I’ll be getting out and eating at these great places, and I’m sure that I’ll have a lot to talk about! It is exciting to see so many people that run our local restaurants committing to running more sustainable businesses.  I’ll see you out there!

-Thomas