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Leaving a green mark…one drink, one plate and one art center at a time.

November 5, 2021

 

Go green, Renew, Reuse and Recycle, Sustainability, Eco-friendly and so on. It’s all language, phrases, and terms we are hearing more and more these days as people are looking to find ways to help with our carbon footprint and climate change.

With all of that in mind, Food and Beverage Coordinator Nicholas Kilburn and Food and Beverage Specialist and Chef Yesenia SeguraVilla started looking at how Mesa Arts Center could make an impact and create a sustainable culture in the Food and Beverage department.

“I’ve been doing this for about ten years, mainly on the east coast, but I moved back to Arizona in July to work for Mesa Arts Center,” said Nicholas Kilburn, Food and Beverage Coordinator at MAC.

“I went to culinary school to be a professional chef and have been working in various kitchens across the Valley for the past eight years. This is my first time working in concessions, it’s very new to me, but I’m excited to bring a new flavor to Mesa Arts Center,” said Yesenia SeguraVilla, Food and Beverage Specialist at MAC.

With a new set of eyes on Food and Beverage at MAC, both Nicholas and Yesenia knew they wanted to make some changes.

“Number one, I wanted to elevate the offerings we had. Right away I reached out to local businesses, from brewers to supply beer, to bakeries and restaurants to supply us with freshly made, locally grown items to have on sale at MAC,” Yesenia said.

Next, Nicholas and Yesenia focused on the materials being used in food and beverage.

“Pretty much everything that was plastic, we got rid of it. We looked at new cups, straws, plates, silverware. We changed to products that are biodegradable or recyclable. Even with packaging we don’t want to use something that will sit in a landfill for years and years,” Nicholas said.

The team tested several product lines before choosing one. “The products are made from corn, so for our straws they hold together better than say paper or cardboard ones, while in a drink,” Yesenia said.

“We got rid of plastic water bottles and partnered up with a company out of Chicago that is fully sustainable. They are the first carbon-neutral water company on the market, making bottles out of aluminum,” Nicholas said.

“We are offering our reusable container for our wine carafes. If you've purchased a whole bottle of wine, you get the carafe as well and cups, with the MAC logo on it, and we encourage everyone to bring it back to the next show and get a discount. Again, keeping the renew and reuse moto in mind,” Yesenia said.

Recycle containers are located throughout the theaters, lobby, buildings and museums at MAC. These little steps are just the beginning of what Nicholas and Yesenia have planned. More changes will be implemented throughout this next year at MAC.

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