Commissioner Eileen Higgins launches Greener Coral Way, a voluntary sustainability certification program, with recognition ceremonies for founding members

 
Commissioner Higgins and The CLEO Institute certifying the founding members of Greener Coral Way. From top left: Doggi’s Arepa Bar, Dale Arepa Bar & Healthy Bistro, Ponte Vecchio. From bottom left: The Mighty, Oh My Gosh Brigideiros. 

MIAMI-DADE – Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, in partnership with The CLEO Institute, launched Greener Coral Way yesterday, Feb. 27 with Recognition Ceremonies for the program’s six founding members including Doggi’s Arepa Bar, Café Croissant, Dale Arepa Bar & Healthy Bistro, Oh My Gosh Brigadeiros, The Mighty, and Ponte Vecchio. As part of the program launch, Commissioner Higgins, who was joined by Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Director Michael Fernandez, visited each of the founding members to congratulate them for their commitment to sustainability by presenting them with a certificate, storefront window decal, and a $2,500 grant.

Greener Coral Way is a voluntary, business certification program that encourages Coral Way restaurants to remove or replace Styrofoam and single-use plastic, and address food waste in their operations, while helping the businesses thrive by recognizing them as environmental stewards of the neighborhood. In addition, Greener Coral Way aims to unite residents in Shenandoah, The Roads, and Silver Bluff to support our local restaurants and celebrate their resiliency efforts.

Program benefits to members include increased exposure in the neighborhood, a window decal highlighting their enrollment level, access to catering opportunities, and participation in networking events. In addition, Commissioner Higgins will be awarding a $2,500 Mom and Pop Small Business Grant to every restaurant enrolled in Greener Coral Way. These grants can be used to help ease the transition to more sustainable products, packaging, or practices.

“As a family owned business, we are proud to join the Coral Way community that cares and acts for a sustainable future,” said Maria Uzcategui, owner of Ponte Vecchio. “We look forward to receiving, hosting, and engaging with our patrons through the Greener Coral Way program, while they enjoy our great food and service.”

After yesterday’s launch, Commissioner Higgins and The CLEO Institute will continue enrolling restaurants on Coral Way in the program. Commissioner Higgins hopes the program will increase the visibility and customer loyalty in the neighborhoods along Coral Way.

“Greener Coral Way highlights just how special this part of our city is,” said Commissioner Higgins. “There are few places in Miami where six small businesses committed to sustainability are within walking distance from each other, and soon there will be even more.”

For more information, please contact Rachel Cohen, District Manager for Miami-Dade County District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins, at [email protected] or 305-375-5924.