Lincoln Park Zoo cafe goes organic
LINCOLN PARK | New menu part of 5-yr. plan to ease environmental impact, officials say
At the Lincoln Park Zoo, leafcutter ants go organic.
They have to: Using their powerful jaws, which vibrate a thousand times a second, the Central and South American insects shear off pieces of leaves to create a life-sustaining fungus -- a fungus that wouldn't grow if the vegetation contained certain artificial chemicals.
(Scott Stewart/Sun-Times)
Now, what's good for the army of ants is good for the two-legged visitors to Lincoln Park.
This weekend, the zoo debuts a special cafe that serves only organic, sustainable or locally grown eatables. Even forks, spoons, knives and cups are made of biodegradable, cornstarch-based plastics.
The Cafe at Wild Things -- which offers such choices as mozzarella and tomato panninis, cheese corncakes and green bean salads -- is part of five-year plan to reduce the zoo's "negative environmental impact,'' officials said. The zoo has increased recycling, has planted seven heat-reducing green roofs, and installed more-efficient water recirculating systems in the polar bear and sea lion pools.
Lincoln Park vice president of guest services Troy Baresel said the zoo hopes to expand its organic menu to other parts of the venue -- for people that is.
But going all-organic for the animals would be tough because of the high cost, said zoo nutritionist Shana R. Lavin. For example, the apes eat 300 pounds of produce every week.