Metz Goes Green in Erie District

The new $4.5 million central kitchen for the Erie (PA) School District, expected to open with the new school term in January, is quite a green place, thanks to some expert input from the district's dining services provider, Metz & Associates.

Planning for the project began in 2005 when Metz Assistant Manager Bill Marshall outlined strategy for re-inventing the department that included drawings of a building footprint that Metz felt better suited the district's needs. After approval by the Board of Education and district administrators, Metz worked with local architectural and engineering firms to determine “green” features that could create the largest environmental and economic impact (some are noted in the box below).

Cafeteria program earnings will fund this entire project, and the new building also includes a 1,200 sq.ft. instructional lab that will be available for use by the Erie City Vo-Tech Culinary Arts program.

Metz estimates it will produce some 30,000 lunches and 15,000 breakfast meals each week in the facility. All prepared hot foods will be packed and shipped in actively-heated food cabinets. Chilled delivery will be on four new refrigerated trucks, which have been purchased in conjunction with this project. The trucks feature lift gates, back up cameras and cargo restraints.

In addition, the district has received a $115,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education to purchase 13 new energy-efficient dishwashers for the elementary and middle schools. Once installed, they will eliminate the need for nearly 1.2 million disposable meal trays, not only saving substantial recurring costs but dramatically reducing waste. Most recently, a local Erie County grower donated 8 apple trees, which were planted on site by high school horticulture students. The students are also building raised flower beds for herbs & vegetables for the facility.

Site Location

Water Efficiency

Materials & Resources

Indoor Environmental