The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) honored Portland-based Elephants Delicatessen during a special VIP dinner in Washington, in early March where they shared their story of giving back to the community and being a good neighbor to the planet.
The NRAEF’s Restaurant Neighbor Award (RNA), developed in partnership with American Express, highlights outstanding local and national charitable service and philanthropy. RNA winners receive a $10,000 contribution in their name to support the charitable organization or program of their choice.
Elephants Delicatessen is an eight-unit restaurant chain dedicated to sustainability, managing food waste and supporting local nonprofits with daily donations and volunteering. The company donates approximately 95 percent of their leftover fresh food items.
Elephants Deli became a Certified B Corporation in 2015, a designation for businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.
“The involvement and dedication restaurants like Elephants have shown in support of local philanthropy is commendable and exemplifies the spirit of our industry and our state,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO of Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Elephants, along with five other Oregon winners will be formally recognized among their peers during the ORLA Hospitality Conference in Ashland, September 28-29, 2020.
For more information on Oregon’s restaurant awards, visit OregonRLA.org/restaurant-awards.
