The Wild Cow is the First REAL Certified Silver location in Tennessee
Industry: Health & Fitness
The Wild Cow, a plant-based sustainable restaurant concept, has become the first restaurant in the REAL Tennessee program to achieve a higher level certification.
Nashville, TN (PRUnderground) October 3rd, 2018
The Wild Cow in East Nashville is the first Eat REAL Certified establishment in the state to earn Silver status for nutrition and sustainability. The Wild Cow has participated in Eat REAL Tennessee since the beginning of the initiative in 2013. Upon re-certification this year, The Wild Cow achieved a score resulting in a higher level tier upon completion of the REAL Certification process.
“We are so honored to get this distinction and we’re thrilled to work together with REAL because we love their mission of encouraging sustainability, nutrition, and animal welfare in our state’s food service establishments,“ says Melanie Cochran, co-owner of The Wild Cow.
Eat REAL (Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership) Certification is a nationally recognized mark of excellence for food and foodservice. The Wild Cow was reviewed by a Registered Dietitian to evaluate their menu and operations for nutrition and sustainability. This point based system reviews front and back of house polities as well as confirming sustainable sourcing practices. In support of Tennessee’s mission to reduce diet related disease and acknowledge establishments that share this value, The Wild Cow has continued their participation with Eat REAL Tennessee.
As a vegetarian restaurant, The Wild Cow demonstrates its commitment to the community by donating to local charities monthly and providing delicious, cruelty-free, healthy food. Ingredients are purchased in whole original form from local and organic sources as much as possible. The majority of their stocks, sauces, and dressings are made in house from scratch. Additionally, The Wild Cow eagerly incorporated the recommendation to purchase beverages with less added sugar.
By becoming certified at the Silver tier, The Wild Cow is leading the highest ranking REAL Certified establishments – the goal of which is to represent the top 25% of nutrition and sustainability best-practice nationwide. On top of the REAL Certified audit standards, Silver status restaurants must achieve a higher score and also meet additional standards related to sourcing and ingredients.
“The Wild Cow was one of the first locations to go through REAL Certification in Tennessee. By continuing to participate in the REAL Certified process they have shown their commitment to raising the bar for more healthful and sustainable food. The Wild Cow is a leader in displaying the kind of transparency conscious diners are looking for as they consider dining options in Nashville.” notes Nikkole Turner, Program Manager of Eat REAL Tennessee.
Learn more about Eat REAL at www.eatreal.org and our partnership with the state of Tennessee at www.eatreal.org/tennessee . Check out Wild Cow and support this business at www.thewildcow.com
About Eat REAL
Eat REAL® is a 501(c) (3) Public Health nonprofit organization based in Richmond, California. Eat REAL is dedicated to transforming food in K-12 schools, creating a healthier next generation and planet. Launched in 2012, Eat REAL Certified is a nutrition and sustainability best practices certification program working with school district food service leaders to raise the bar and make food in schools more nutritious and sustainable. Eat REAL’s core program currently supports 237 schools, reaching over 116,000 students.
