WaterScapes is proud to be named a “Platinum Partner” with the state’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Platinum status is the program’s highest level and was awarded, based on WaterScapes menu going above and beyond the program’s basic requirements. A member of the program since 2007, it is designed to promote the use of local and sustainable seafood in South Carolina’s restaurants. The Sustainable Seafood Initiative helps ensure that consumers have fish for the future by teaching our partner chefs about sustainable and local seafood, assessing their menus, and encouraging consumers to dine at our partner restaurants. The Sustainable Seafood Initiative is guided by an interdisciplinary and diverse Steering Committee ensuring that the program pragmatically balances the needs of the environment with the world population’s need for seafood. We believe that we can lessen the impact we have on the oceans by making wise seafood choices and encouraging improvement of fishing and fish-farming methods.

WaterScapes, the casual fine dining restaurant within Myrtle Beach, S.C.'s Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, has received the 2010 Santé Culinary Hospitality Award from Santé, the Magazine for Restaurant Professionals in the sustainability category for the Southeast division of the United States. Of all categories, it is the only business in the Carolinas to be recognized among the list of winners. Now in their thirteenth year, the Santé Awards were created to recognize excellence in restaurant food, wine, spirits, and service hospitality. The Santé Awards program is the only peer-judged national restaurant and hospitality competition in North America.

Fresh on the Menu, the second phase of the Certified South Carolina program, was launched in February 2008. Fresh on the Menu and all phases of the Certified South Carolina campaign have been established with one main objective – to increase the per capita income of rural South Carolinians through the generation of agricultural commerce. By providing consumers with the ability to easily identify, find, and buy South Carolina products, we are meeting that goal. Participating chefs agree to prepare menus that include at least 25% Certified South Carolina Grown foods and products in season and feature the Fresh on the Menu brand. These chefs recognize the value in supporting local for not only their bottom lines, but also for the difference South Carolina local products and produce make on the taste of food. After all, Nothing's Fresher. Nothing's Finer. Fresh on the Menu is a commitment to provide South Carolina citizens the freshest products and produce from some of the nation's best restaurants. This program will work to use our greatest resources to help to ensure that South Carolinians can act progressively and think competitively in the global economy of our future. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture challenges all South Carolinians to support, ask for and remember “Locally grown." It's to dine for.