Seth VanderLaan, assistant general manager for Delaware North Sportservice at Miller Park in Milwaukee, was presented with an award from Green Sports Alliance last week to recognize his sustainability efforts at the ballpark. VanderLaan, who previously served as Delaware North’s executive chef at the home of the Milwaukee Brewers, was given the Environmental Innovator of the Year award.

For the past seven years, Green Sports Alliance has presented its annual Environmental Leadership Award and Environmental Innovator of the Year award to recognize and applaud the “best of the best” in sports and sustainability.

“I am honored to have been chosen for the 2019 Environmental Innovator Award by the Green Sports Alliance,” he said. “Sustainability is truly a team effort, and I have a great team around me at Miller Park and great support on the corporate level with (Director of Sustainability) Deb Friedel leading the way.”

Green Sports Alliance promotes healthy, sustainable communities by leveraging cultural and market influence to inspire professional sports teams and their fans to embrace environmentally preferable practices.

VanderLaan has made sustainability the focal point at Miller Park through Delaware North’s environmental stewardship platform, GreenPath. He was influential in build – ing the on-property gardens at Miller Park where produce from the gardens is used in meals at the player clubhouse and to accent items found in the concession stands.

VanderLaan’s efforts for sustainability go a step further. VanderLaan regularly speaks at regional shows where he discusses local food sourcing, and he also worked to add an on-property biodigester to the ballpark to cut down on food waste. VanderLaan also works with local school children on their “Roots for the Home Team” farm-to-stadium program.