Eateries Acting Towards Sustainability (EATS) Program

EATS (Eateries Acting Towards Sustainability) is a certification program that is voluntary and available to those in the food service industry who choose to participate. The primary goal of this certification is to recognize the hard work of these establishments, rather than impose stricter regulations on business owners. This program is for businesses in the food service industry that are working to reduce their waste “footprint" including food trucks, coffee shops, and restaurants.

There is no entry fee into the program. Businesses that wish to participate need to have a Harrisonburg location. If you are interested in the program or have any questions, please contact Shayna Carter by calling the Public Works office at 540-434-5928 or by email at Shayna.Carter@HarrisonburgVA.gov. 

• EATS Program Flyer [2MB]
• EATS Program Flyer - En Español [2MB]
• EATS Program Flyer - Arabic - Coming Soon
• EATS Program Flyer - Kurdish - Coming Soon

EATS Three Levels

EATS has three levels to recognize environmentally-friendly food service businesses without complicated rules or costly requirements. The three levels are determined by a points system based on categories that align with the six areas of the City of Harrisonburg's Environmental Action Plan. The points system values may be found on the EATS Points Spreasheet.

Level 1: Sprout

Prerequisite: Ask First!

The “Ask First” policy is pretty straight-forward: before your staff gives out a glass of water, straws (including in mixed drinks), to-go packaging (e.g., coffee in a to-go cup instead of a mug), plastic cutlery, bags to carry food out, and even plastic sauce cups, ASK FIRST. Are they taking their food straight home? Have they brought their own containers? It will take some practice to train ourselves and our patrons to recognize these trash items as products of convenience. Prerequisite: Water Use and FOGs Policy Ensure your business handles fats, oils and grease in a legal and environmentally sensitive manner and prevents harmful downstream impacts. Water flowing into storm drains is carried untreated directly to our waterways. Keeping pollution out of storm drains is crucial to maintaining our water resources. Plus, 10 additional points in any category of your choosing from our list!

Level 2: Bloom

Prerequisite: Continue All Practices in Level 1 & Phase Out Single Use Plastic

Explore sustainable alternatives to plastic straws, plates, utensils, bags, and condiment packets you use with your current suppliers/vendors (e.g., reusable, compostable, and biodegradable.) This can apply to dine in or take out materials. Select alternatives that work for your business model, operations, and economics. Plus 20 additional points in any category of your choosing.

 Level 3: Harvest

Prerequisite: Continue All Practices in Level 1 & 2 

Acquire 40 additional points in any category of your choosing. 10 of the 40 points need to come from the Energy Reduction Category. 

EATS Program Participating Businesses

EATS Restaurant Resources:

• EATS Points Spreadsheet [159KB] 
• Table Tents [118KB] 
• Fats Oils and Grease (FOGs) Handout [746KB]