ATLANTA, GA–(Marketwire – July 23, 2010) –  After the success of its herb garden, the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta hotel built a greenhouse earlier this year to grow its own produce. Guests will be able to enjoy the “fruits” of this new effort at Vidalia’s Restaurant, beginning this fall. The first harvest will feature striped heirloom tomatoes, seven chili varieties, zucchini, asparagus, cucumbers and fresh herbs and will be ready by fall. The hotel also plans to implement a composting program by year-end. 

“We’re excited to provide our guests with the freshest produce we can offer,” said Executive Chef Tim Andrasy, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta. “Our fall menu will feature items from our new garden.”

Sample menu items will include a summer tomato salad with heirloom tomato, pickled Bermuda onions and champagne vinaigrette, chicken quesadilla with fresh garden salsa and market veggies fresh zucchini with cowbell peppers.

The Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta located at 3750 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, GA is an Energy Star-labeled hotel. The Atlanta hotel near North Point Mall recycles 20 percent of its waste and reduces its carbon footprint by using energy efficient equipment and lighting. For more information on the garden, Vidalia’s Restaurant or the hotel’s Alpharetta banquet facilities, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlaw-atlanta-marriott-alpharetta/

Marriott International has been committed to the environment for more than 20 years and continues to implement strategies to reduce and offset its carbon footprint. For more information on the company’s Spirit To Preserve® environmental strategy, visit www.marriott.com/environment.

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