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PPP Update on Office Food Safety

Catering setup

Editors note, 5/18/2020: We wanted to let our community know that we will be releasing a full update soon about our enhanced safety precautions. For now, some highlights are: 1) Masks are worn while picking up your food and at your office. 2) Delivery bags and boards are cleaned after each use, and bikes are cleaned before every route. 3) all employees maintain a 6+ feet working distance or are work remotely. Stay safe, Portland!

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The increase in coronavirus cases in the US and here in Portland has led to increased sensitivity around hygiene and safety best practices. This is especially true when it comes to food. While the CDC states that there is no evidence that food causes the spread of coronavirus, it is important to ensure that food consumed in the office meets food safety guidelines and general hygiene best practices.

At Portland Pedal Power, food safety is always top of mind. We want to ensure our customers that we are taking all necessary precautions to keep you and your food safe. Below is a list of the PPP safety protocols followed by our catering team’s recommendations for food safety in the office. 

Portland Pedal Power staff precautions:

  1. All PPP staff are food handlers certified and are trained to:
    • Wash their hands frequently while working
    • Use gloves when serving food to customers
    • Ensure that food is properly packaged for transport
    • Stay home from work if experiencing symptoms of illness
  2. All food is transported in food bags which are cleaned regularly
  3. Disposable utensils, plates, cups, napkins and serving utensils are stored in sealed or covered containers.
  4. While we do not monitor or control the restaurants we partner with, we have long standing relationships with them and are confident in their knowledge of food safety best practices.

General recommendations for food in the office: (more…)


New Portland Policy To Reduce Single-Use Plastic Waste

Climate change and what we can do to help stave off the worst effects is a hot topic that is taking the country, and world, by storm. Portland, which was recently polled as the 9th greenest city (can you believe we’re that low?) is working hard to be a leader in sustainability. This is evident in the most recent plastics policy that just went into effect. 

As of October 1, 2019, restaurants in the city of Portland cannot automatically include numerous single-use plastic items. This includes straws, stirrers, utensils (sporks, spoons, forks, and knives), and individually packaged condiments (ketchup, mayo, mustard, relish, jelly, jam, soy sauce, creamer, and hot sauce). It applies to all orders that are eaten on-premise, obtained in the drive-through, taken out, or delivered by a service. All of these items can still be obtained except that now they must be requested by the customer. 

PPP is committed to sustainability and we have a long-standing policy not to provide single-use plastics as a part of our delivery service unless requested. We’re excited to see that the city of Portland is taking this step to reduce the distribution of unneeded disposable plastics. They always end up in the landfill, often without being used. 

If you have any ideas about ways we can further reduce the use of plastics please leave a comment and let us know. We’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable.


The Portland Pedal Power Pack is Growing!

Thanks to your support, PPP is growing. Meet our newest members…and their pets!

We’re confident that these friendly folks will keep the gears at PPP running smoothly, so you continue to receive top-notch sustainable service, pollution free, and worry-free. Check out their stories below.

~Aaron~

Position: Chief Operating Officer

Where are you from, and how long have you been in Portland?

I’m from Palo Alto, in the Bay area. I’ve been in the Portland area for 2 1/2 years, and I’m not leaving!

Favorite hobbies/ things to do in Portland?

Eating at new restaurants, being outdoors, going to live shows of any kind.

Aaron’s dog, Meadow

Favorite restaurants in Portland?

Tasty and Alder, Renata, Irving St. Kitchen.

Favorite thing about working for PPP?

The incredibly nice, hard-working, committed people.  

Favorite place to bike in Oregon?

Bend

What are you riding now?

Frankenstein titanium hardtail mountain bike

 

~Shawna~

Position: Marketing Specialist

Where are you from, and how long have you been in Portland?

Originally from the Midwest, I moved to Portland three years ago, after my Peace Corps service in Lesotho. High five for anyone who knows where Lesotho is!

What do you do outside of PPP?

I’m an MBA Sustainable Systems candidate at Presidio Graduate School (Seattle). In my free time, I bike, practice yoga, adventure with my partner and our dog, fiddle around with the fiddle, and get myself lost in the woods.

Favorite restaurants in Portland?

Shawna’s dog, Happy Peanut

Ate-Oh-Ate, Boxer Ramen, Handsome Pizza, Tasty and Alder, & Wolf & Bear’s

Favorite thing about working for PPP?

The culture at PPP is refreshing, engaging and fun. Our leadership encourages everyone to contribute their unique skills to special projects so that it creates a thriving community of people bringing their whole selves to work. I also love that our company is majority woman-owned and that our company is built on sustainability.

Favorite place to bike in town?

In town, Marine Drive and the Springwater Corridor. When there’s time to venture out of the city, I’ll hit the Banks-Vernonia Trail.

What are you riding now?

Salsa Viya (more…)


Fall is Here!

FALL IS HERE!

Alas, the rain has come! It was a long and hot summer (one of the hottest on record), full of sunshine and good times, but with that came a slew of fires, leaving Portland smelling like a campfire, and looking like an ashtray, making everyone feel as if they were living in some sort of apocalyptic dream. I don’t think Portland has ever missed the rain this much!

While we enjoyed being out there in the sunshine, it’s safe to say we are ready for the rain that fall and winter have in store for us.  We just love to be out there on the bikes, sustainably delivering the best that Portland has to offer, year round, no matter the weather. We’re gearing up with rain jackets, lights, reflectors, fenders, and even frickin’ shovels if we need ’em! Just kidding, we don’t ride with shovels, but you know, we would if we had to. Rain or shine, bring it on! We ain’t scared. We look forward to the challenge!

With the change in weather comes a change in the foods you might expect to see. We’ve got access to all kinds of delicious local seasonal foods. Wanna feel warm and cozy? How about some delicious hot soup from Súpa, a baked potato bar from Sterling Catering, or a hot and fresh breakfast bar from Brunch Box? You can expect to soon be seeing some amazing pumpkin curry dishes from Thai Peacock and Sunee Thai & Lao.

 

Or perhaps you’ve been looking forward to some sweet pumpkin goodies? Gluten Free Gem has some delicious pumpkin bars, you can get a pumpkin loaf from Pearl Bakery, or there’s always the good ol’ fashion Helen Bernhard, already baking pumpkin pie, as well as pumpkin and apple cider donuts. And last but not least, Pacific Pie has some Apple Sour Cream Streusel pies, along with Whiskey Apple if you place a special order.

 

Green ZebraZupan’sWhole FoodsUrban Pantry, and World Foods have plenty of seasonal sweet and savory platters to offer as well. So don’t be sad that summer is over. Put your favorite sweater on and let us bring you some comfort food to help get you ready!

 


Welcome Scott and Shelly to the PPP team!

PPP is excited to welcome Scott and Shelly to the team. Here’s a little bit about the both of them.

Hello, everyone my name is Scott and I am the new Marketing Specialist here at Portland Pedal Power. I come to PPP with experience working with nonprofits, project management for advertising agencies, and brand strategy for startups. I look forward to growing the PPP brand to align with like minded organizations and businesses in Portland.

What did you have for breakfast? I love cereal. So cinnamon and honey oats along with almond milk for the ride.  

Most useful bike commuting item? Dynamo lighting set-up hands down to keep the lights bright and always shining without the use of having to charge batteries.  

Favorite food spot in East Industrial Portland? Nongs Khao Man Gai, the Ankeny St location!

What’s your favorite park in Portland? Peninsula Park in North Portland. The symmetrical grid layout of the rose garden is pretty unique. In the summer it cannot be beat!

What other interests do you have? Fly fishing, racing cyclocross, bike touring, and sleeping under the stars.

What made you want to work at PPP? The PPP model of a homegrown sustainable business is the right direction to position the future of our towns and cities. I want to educate other businesses that a innovative full circle sustainable model can save them money and help empower the community around them.

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Hello, my name is Shelly Proschold and I am the new Catering Manager / Dispatch here at Portland Pedal Power. My family and I moved to Portland in 2015 from Sonoma County, California. My previous role I was the Artistic Director for H-Town Youth Theatre. Here in Portland I have continued to express my creativity through Event Planning and Catering. I am so excited to be working with PPP to continue to provide excellent service and customer relations.

What did you have for breakfast? Oatmeal with blueberries.

Most useful bike commuting item? PPP rain jacket.

Favorite food spot in East Industrial Portland? Pacific Pie, and tea from Starbucks. 

What’s your favorite park in Portland? Forest Park.

What other interests do you have? Hiking, acting, and teaching.

What made you want to work at PPP? I wanted to move to Portland and find a job that is unique to Portland. PPP checks all those boxes.

The PPP team is thrilled to welcome Shelly and Scott to the bicycle powered catering crew!

 


Museum Benefactors Get Benefits

patron-society-thumb2Companies in Portland can consider making arts access an added perk for their employees by becoming patrons of the Portland Art Museum. Members of the Patron Society are the museum’s most generous annual donors, helping more than 300,000 visitors each year to enrich their lives, spark creativity, and challenge their minds through the power of art. For companies, membership in the Patron Society offers marketing benefits and hospitality opportunities.

Patron companies will also score guest passes, private tours, complimentary conference room space, access to special events and opening parties, exclusive patron society events, and more.patron-society-thumb5

Business members get a great value at the museum overall and can use the partnership to reward and engage their employees and clients throughout the year. Exhibits like the current Warhol Exhibit or films events at the NW Film Center are creative fuel for those working in any industry. Give the gift of art to your office!

Learn more at portlandartmuseum.org or call 503-276-4312.


Green Fest Expo Around the Corner

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Photo Credit: Shannon M West Photography

The Green Festival Expo (in Portland Dec. 9-11 at the Oregon Convention Center) features a inspiring array of speakers, documentary film screenings, and green exhibitors. For the past 15 years, Green Festival Expo has been committed to helping Americans find solutions to help make families and communities healthier – socially, economically, and environmentally. The event is completely free with registration.

Green Festival is one of the only trade and consumer shows that is completely vegan and vegetarian offering meatless products at the food court as an opportunity to showcase how food choices can positively impact sustainability and climate change

This year Green Festival Expo will unveil a new pavilion for Sustainable Innovations, showcasing the newest products, concepts, and exhibitors of the year. For this Expo, there will be a strong focus on family activities where kids can learn about the environment and how they can do their part in stopping climate change. The Family Fun Pavilion will be run by local business Hammer and Jacks Toy Store. Yoga programming will be run by Full Lotus Yoga PDX and Carioca Bowls. For both kids and adults, there will also be offerings of organic foods, hands-on demos, educational activities and inspirational speakers at the Green Festival Pavilion and booths. On Saturday afternoon, attendees will be able to enjoy a very special performance from The School of Rock.

Some of the pioneering, inspired speakers at the Green Festival Expo will be:

  • Colleen Polling, Nourishing the body, mind and soul: Vegan 101
  • Barbara Troyer, Environmental, Wildlife, & Northwest Coordinator, Food for Thought (a program of Animal Place)
  • John Lewis, CEO, Bad Ass Vegan
  • Sahsha Campbell-Garbutt, Owner, Life and Light Wellness
  • Lateefah Smith, Founder, The Veggie Connection
  • Ellie Laks and Jay Weiner, Founders of The Gentle Barn
  • Peter Spendelow, President Northwest VEG
  • Erik Wolf, Executive Director of World Food Travel Association
  • Erin Switlaski, Executive Director of Women’s Voices for the Earth
  • Anthony Rossi, Vice President of Global Business Development at TerraCycle
  • Eileen Durfee, Owner, Inventor of Go Healthy Next

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WHEN: 

WHERE: Oregon Convention Center – 777 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232 – View Map


Donate Toys and We’ll Deliver!

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Just some of the many bikes donated last year!

The KGW Great Toy Drive, a collection event for more than 30 years, takes place now through December 17th. The campaign collects new, unwrapped toys for less fortunate families in Oregon and SW Washington. All donated toys will be distributed with the help of 120 local nonprofit organizations and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

The KGW Great Toy Drive has hundreds of drop-off locations throughout the region. Toys can be donated at the main KGW studios located at 1501 SW Jefferson Street in downtown Portland, Regence offices, Wells Fargo locations, local Toyota Dealerships and nearly 300 other participating partner locations. For a complete list of locations, please visit KGW.com/toy.

Portland Pedal Power will work with offices who want to be drop-off locations. We will be delivering and carting as many toys to KGW as we can!

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2016 donated toy delivery in action

“The KGW Great Toy Drive is an event that truly brings out the best in our community. Every year we’re humbled by the outpouring of giving from the public,” said DJ Wilson, president and general manager of the KGW Media Group.  “We’re especially grateful to Regence, Wells Fargo and the local Toyota Dealers, who continue to join with us to help needy families bring joy to their children on Christmas morning.”

Due to the generosity of the public and the commitments from many local area businesses to collect toys on behalf of the KGW Great Toy Drive, more children will enjoy a happier holiday season.

Contact me at [email protected] to discuss donating!


What Makes Our Foodie Favorites Unique?

At PPP we chose our restaurant and vendor partners wisely. We focus on local spots committed to sustainability, social responsibility, and healthy food. Here’s a few of our foodie faves who are committed to making a difference:

Keeping Portland Socially Responsible

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New City Kitchen

New City Kitchen (NCK) is your one-stop solution for socially responsible lunch catering. NCK prepare delicious box and sack lunches with tasty sandwiches, fresh (and gluten free) salad rolls, and yummy cookies. Their food features have Mediterranean accents, and are flavor-tested by ProChefs Oregon, the local branch of the American Culinary Federation. Our favorite is the roasted eggplant sandwich.

Aside from the yummy food, New City Kitchen is a nonprofit social enterprise that trains and employs people who are looking for a second chance in the workforce. Their mantra is “Hope has a flavor,” operating under the belief that when you give people the opportunity they’ve been waiting for, they come alive.

Keeping Portland Green

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Aprisa Mexican Cuisine

We deliver a lot of taco bars and delicious burritos from Aprisa Mexican Cuisine, a local favorite. Aprisa is a socially and environmentally responsible company. They aim to make the least impact on the environment as possible by using serving containers that are made from 100% sustainable and compostable materials.

Even more unique, their restaurant locations are made from recycled shipping containers. Using these as building materials (normally considered industrial waste) reduces the impact of this kind of waste on the environment. The building is also very efficient due to high insulation value; because of the layout and minimal square footage the cooking equipment can effectively heat the building!

Keeping Portland Healthy

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Gluten Free Gem Bakery

Gluten Free Gem is an independent, family run bakery located in Portland’s Rose Quarter. Owners Anne and Mike Miller started baking gluten free at CCP Gluten Free Bakeshop in 2006 when their daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. By April of 2011, the bakery had outgrown its SW Corbett location and was moved to its current location on N. Hancock St. With this move came a name change, to celebrate the original Gems: Anne and Mike’s daughters Greta and Emma Miller.

Over the last eight years, their understanding of eating and baking gluten-free has grown immensely, and so has the menu. Gem plans to continuing to develop new gluten-free products that help to change the perception of what gluten-free baking can be, all the while maintaining a 100% gluten-free facility, where everything is delicious and safe to eat.


GoGreen Conference 2016

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Our team is going to be out with our bike at the GoGreen Conference is this coming Wednesday, October 5. Last year was really inspiring, so we recommend registering quick if you haven’t already; it is a great opportunity to network and brainstorm with leading community members committed to sustainability.

The conference, created and organized by B Corporation Social Enterprises, is a sustainability learning experience for business and government decision-makers. Featuring regionally targeted content and recognized leaders from the community, GoGreen works across industry silos to foster peer-to-peer learning and collaborative solutions. The conference operates in the firm belief that sustainability in the business setting is a powerful and indispensable tool for navigating the tumultuous waters of today’s global economy and solving our climate woes. GoGreen aims to empower attendees with the strategies, tools and connections through networking opportunities to advance the triple bottom line. See you there!

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The PPP Team at GoGreen 2015