Green Tips for the 4th of July Weekend!

As you begin to plan your parties here are a few ways to stay green during the 4th of July:

• The obvious choice is to use real plates, utensils, and glass ware. If you cant, the second best option is using biodegradable, compostable, or bamboo products.
• Make recycling easy and available!
• Serve finger foods such as sliced fruit, veggies & dip, cheese & crackers, and mini sliders.
• Drink local.
• Compost kitchen scraps (remember no meat, only organic material).
• When BBQ-ing try burning a propane or electric grill.

Here are a few web sites where you can buy earth-friendly products

• Located in Austin: http://www.ecowise.com/
• NatureWorks http://www.natureworksllc.com/Product-And-Applications.aspx

New Tasty Desserts for your Wedding or Special Event!

Tiny Pies is a unique new Austin-based bakery that creates delicious bite size pies for businesses, weddings and special events. Tiny Pies uses the freshest seasonal ingredients, such as summer peaches, that will leave your mouth watering for more. They have a variety of pies such as Strawberry Rhubarb, Blueberry Bliss, Sweet Texas Pecan, and Dutchy's Apple. Tiny Pies is a great snack to enjoy out at Barton Springs or Zilker Park.

Tiny Pies treats can be found at the Barton Creek farmers market, on-line, and at your favorite neighborhood grocery store or retail shop. Tiny Pies tries to be as conscious as possible about the environmental impacts of their business. They take the following steps to minimize their foot print:

• Only print on recycled paper
• The plastic packaging for their pies is from partially recycled material
• They communicate with their customers via email marketing (they do not send any hard copy mail pieces)
• They are currently moving kitchens and will begin a composting bin at the new kitchen
• They recycle all materials that they can in their kitchen

Coming Soon! 2011 APEX Green Meeting Standards

APEX/ASTM environmentally sustainable meeting standards have reached a new milestone! Currently, eight of the nine sustainable meeting standards have been completed and are pending final approval for publication. When launched, the comprehensive standards will give planners and companies real metrics for applying best green strategies to the nine sectors within the event planning process. Green Fern Events is excited to implement these new standards as well as to educate and consult with interested parties.