Here at So Good we write about all sorts of different restaurants and food chains – from fast food to sit-down fare to home cooking or more casual fare. Since we keep a special eye out for interesting marketing campaigns, we find ourselves writing with some frequency about big fast food chains – after all, they often have the most money to throw around and their food quality doesn’t usually speak for itself. These chains need to spend large amounts of money to entice consumers to give outrageous new products a try.

After years of writing all too often about fast food chains and products, I couldn’t be more excited to be leading the charge on the brand strategy for a company that stands for all the right things. It’s a great feeling to work for a company whose mission and values you completely believe in. Sweetgreen sources ingredients from local farmers and creates products that are healthy & fresh, but also delicious. Its silverware and packaging is 100% compostable and the company has a strong commitment to the environment and sustainability.  Founded in 2007 by 3 Georgetown graduates, it now features 7 stores in the greater DC area, two in Philadelphia, and continues to build a loyal customer following.

I have never been a huge fan of Whole Foods, despite my affinity for great produce and knowledgeable employees.  It might be my imagination, but that store has always been a little too snooty for me.  I love grocery shopping, but am not looking to pick up my game before I hit the market.  That said, I read today that the grocery chain granted over 500 salad bars to schools due to a fundraising campaign they ran last September.  This campaign, called the Salad Bar Project, generated donations totaling $1.4million.  I love this idea, and loved this even more:

“To make an even larger impact in lunchrooms across the country, Whole Foods Market announced it is a founding partner of Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools, whose goal is to provide 6,000 salad bars across the nation by 2013.”

Knowing all the garbage that many kids eat at school (corn dogs, microwaved pizzas, french fries, etc.) – in the absence of healthy options – this fundraiser is a big step in the right direction towards getting kids to eat better, and forming healthier habits, hopefully for life.  Cheers to Whole Foods for this effort.

What do you think of this campaign?  Does this affect your opinion of Whole Foods?

H/t to Eater for the scoop.  The press release is here.

And yeah, I know the photo sucks. I don’t know what happened. I darkened it on my computer and made it look good, then everytime I posted the picture it would revert back to looking too bright from the flash.  I’m terrible at photography btw, which is why I could never have “that kind” of food blog.

Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta
1/2 pound grape or cherry tomatos, sliced length wise
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, cubed
3 oz genoa salami
3 oz pepperoni
1 2.25 oz can of sliced black olives
2 bell peppers (I used one orange, one green, but pick your favorite)
1 medium red onion
1 can artichoke hearts

Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning (marjoram, thyme, rosemary, savory, sage, oregano, basil)
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
several dashes of Tabasco sauce

Directions:

1. Cook pasta for 10-11 minutes. Pasta should be firm but not al dente
2. Slice mozzarella cheese into cubes
3. Slice pepperoni & salami into small strips
4. Slice red onion and bell peppers into inch long strips
5. Cut artichokes into small pieces
6. Combine all ingredients in large bowl
7. In small bowl, mix together ingredients for dressing.
8. Add dressing to salad, mix/toss thoroughly

Enjoy!