Mastering the Art of Sustainable Cooking Campaign Launches

Online, September 30, 2009 (Newswire.com) - September 30, 2009, MIDDLEBURY, VT - Will you be the one to inspire others to create great food that's also good for the planet? The Mastering the Art of Sustainable Cooking campaign introduced by Brighter Planet this week gives Americans everywhere the opportunity to share their stories of conservation methods and help them take charge against climate change in a place where it may be the least expected: the kitchen.

The judging panel includes celebrated local food pioneer Alice Waters of Chez Panisse and Slow Food International; visionary environmental writer Bill McKibben of 350.org; sustainable entrepreneur Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farms; food activist and anthropologist Amy Trubek; director and producer Ana Sofia Joanes of FRESH; Eating Well Magazine's editorial director Lisa Gosselin; CEO Patti Prairie of Brighter Planet; and food television writer and producer Zachary Cohen of Farm to Table. Judges rate top-ranked entries based on eco-effectiveness and ability to inspire conservation in others.

The average American's carbon footprint from food is as big as that of their car or their home. Contestants share their experiences of how they reduced their "foodprint" by using less energy and reducing waste-without sacrificing nutrition, flavor, or the joy of sharing a delicious meal. Contest categories include menu planning, ingredients, food sources, techniques, and gadgets.

"Our goal is to deepen the conversation about ways we can reduce the climate impact of our diets," said Patti Prairie, Brighter Planet CEO. "Real-life stories can explode the myth that eating an earth-friendly diet means sacrificing money, flavor, or camaraderie."

The campaign, hosted by Brighter Planet's unique social media web platform at www.brighterplanet.com, runs through December 31, 2009 with awards announced in January. Top awards are Amazon Kindle DXs, whose adoption is predicted by the New York Times to slash the publishing industry's environmental impact.

About Brighter Planet
Brighter Planet (www.brighterplanet.com) helps people manage their environmental footprint. The clean-energy start-up is pioneering a new environmentalism - one that is accessible to everyone, fits one's lifestyle, and is fun to share. Its engaging campaigns tap the power of social media to help people learn about emissions, conserve what they can, and offset the rest. To date, more than 100,000 customers have used the company's climate change solutions, the Brighter Planet Visa credit and debit cards and Offsets by Brighter Planet, to invest in reputable American renewable energy projects. Contact: Carolyn Barnwell, carolyn@brighterplanet.com, 802-458-0441

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