Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena to source 75% of food locally

In late June, Seattle sports fans dropped a jaw as word came that Amazon had secured naming rights to the upcoming home for Seattle’s NHL team. The official name? The Climate Pledge Arena.

Formerly known as Key Arena, the residence of the new NHL Seattle team, the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, and many other events are planned to open late summer of 2021.

Of course, the name tells all. The Climate Pledge Arena intends to have a low carbon footprint, named for the company’s recent plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

In order to inspire “global climate action,” a press release said, the venue would be outfitted with all-electric operations and an ice rink filled with reclaimed rainwater — making it “the greenest ice in the NHL.”

Now, apparently it’s applying the same goals to all our beloved rink-side bites and brews, too.

At least 75% of the arena’s food program will be sourced seasonally from local farmers and producers, according to Jason F. McLennan, sustainability expert for NHL Seattle.

“We’re still working out all the specifics, but the focus will be on minimizing waste and having health options,” McLennan told Eater Seattle, adding that there will be vendors offering organic produce, seafood, and vegetarian fare.

According to McLennan, there won’t be any gas stoves in the arena, either. Instead, everything will be cooked via electric or convection appliances.

And what’s more, any viable unused food will be donated to Seattle area food banks.

As uncertainty still remains as to what Seattle’s NHL team name will render, so too does the Climate Pledge Arena’s vendors.

The arena’s released design renderings divvied out a handful of food and drink sectors, of which appeared to include an upscale bistro by the name of the “Metropolitan Club,” available to premium ticket holders, and a food hall deemed the Mount Baker Club doling out foodie pop-ups.

Nonetheless, within the realm of the food and drink industry in the midst of a pandemic, most restaurants and bars seem to keep their eyes on one goal for 2020 rather than being named an arena vendor: Just survive.

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