Campus Celebrates Going Green

The Going Green Block Party on Friday (Nov. 14) will feature the New Birth Brass Band, famed Louisiana chef John Folse, food off the grill and an opportunity to learn about campus organizations and offices working to support environmental sustainability in the Tulane community.

Famed Louisiana chef John Folse will be at the block party between Mayer and Butler Residence Halls on McAlister Drive to talk about his Louisiana-made products. (Photo from Chef John Folse & Co.)

“Sustainability is about protecting the long-term health of our community,” says Liz Davey, campus environmental coordinator and program manager in the Tulane Center for Bioenvironmental Research. “The block party brings together Tulanians who are taking on this challenge in creative and practical ways.”

This year, Corey King, executive chef of Tulane Dining Services, has created a menu for the on-campus eatery, Le Gourmet, that reflects an environmental sensibility. All products must fall into one of four categories — local, organic, natural or in biodegradable packaging, King says. The block party will be held in front of Le Gourmet, which is located on McAlister Drive at the corner of the Mayer Residence Hall.

Chef Folse is expected to attend the block party from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. to talk about his Louisiana-made products. Free tastings of products will be available at the event, and food from the grill will be available for purchase. Sales proceeds from Thumann's Meats and Inland Seafood will go to Green Light New Orleans, a local nonprofit organization that installs energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs in New Orleans homes.

Green Light New Orleans has installed more than 120,000 energy-saving light bulbs, reducing local energy bills by more than $5 million as they reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Information on recycling, student environmental organizations, shuttle services, environmental courses, energy efficiency, green building, sustainable business practices and public school initiatives will be available. Free bike-repair instruction also will be available.

Organizations on hand to provide information will include A Studio in the Woods, Tulane Dining Services, the Environmental Law Clinic, Facilities Services, the Green Club, IN Exchange, the Juggling Club, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Paris Parker Salon, the Public Health Undergraduate Degree Program, Tulane Recycling, Tulane Environmental Action League, the Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives, TIDES, the Tulane City Center and the Office of Environmental Affairs.

The event is hosted by Le Gourmet, green.tulane.edu and Tulane University Campus Programming. For more information contact Shelley Meaux at 504-862-8441.