VSAG Principal Dan Simons recently assisted some students from George Washington University (he’s an alumnus) in their reporting of the importance of green dining choices in the Nation’s capital.  Where else would they go to uncover the best practices and insider information, but Founding Farmers, the Greenest Restaurant in DC!  Enjoy this bit of video by Madeline Twomey and Juliette Dallas-Feeney, and learn a bit more about Founding Farmers’ leadership in the green dining movement.

VSAG client Founding Farmers – the first LEED Gold certified full-service upscale-casual restaurant in the U.S., as well as the first LEED-certified restaurant in Washington DC - was recognized for its outstanding commitment to sustainability, appearing as the cover story for the 2009 bonus edition of The Consultant magazine. Read more for the full article, or click here. Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing to demonstrate her true can-do spirit and steadfast determination, VSAG Vice President Lara Hardcastle recently passed the certification process to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) through the US Green Building Council (USGBC).   Lara was the Project Manager on the award-winning Founding Farmers restaurant in Washington DC, the first LEED Gold upscale-casual, full-service restaurant in the United States, which opened one year ago. She’s a vital part of our LEED restaurants work and green restaurant operations consulting. Read the rest of this entry »

On April 22nd, Founding Farmers and VSAG celebrated the official award and certification of the restaurant as LEED® Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).   With this award, Founding Farmers is the first USGBC certified restaurant of any type in the District of Columbia, and the first full-service, upscale-casual LEED Gold restaurant in the entire United States. Read the rest of this entry »

Today VSAG announced the grand opening of their most recently developed concept, Founding Farmers.   Developed for the North Dakota Farmers Union, Founding Farmers is located in the heart of the nation’s capital, just three blocks from The White House.    Designed to meet LEED Gold green building certification criteria, and designed to operate as a Certified Green Restaurant, by the Green Restaurant Association, Founding Farmers restaurant is DC’s Greenest restaurant.  With 260 seats on two levels, the design and decor are reminiscent of a modern farmhouse, with warm hues, materials like reclaimed flooring and barnwood walls, comfortable seating and little details that add to the personality of the space.

VSAG kicks-off three new projects for Clients developing new concepts that target a variety of green-centric approaches.   These include sustainable and organic menus, LEED-certified architecture and interior design, and Certified Green Restaurant operations.  Of the three concepts, one is fast-food, one is fast-casual, and one is upscale full-service.

VSAG begins work for the North Dakota Farmer’s Union developing the next generation concept of the NDFU’s “Agraria Restaurant” concept. The 8,500 square foot new concept focuses on “farm to table” and is slated to open in Q3 of 2008 in the I.M.F. Building in Washington DC, just blocks from The White House.

Owned by American Family Farmers, the project is anticipating a LEED Certification after opening. VSAG is thrilled to be leading this project from development through opening, and then ongoing as the Management Company.