DENVER -- The Denver 2008 Host Committee wants to go lean and green for delegates' meals at the Democratic National Convention and is suggesting how caterers and restaurants can do that.

The committee's suggestions go heavy on fruits and vegetables, locally grown and produced food and fresh ingredients.

The guidelines are voluntary and won't be the only criteria used to select caterers for 22 parties planned around Denver, said Parry Burnap, "greening" director for the nonprofit host committee.

Some caterers have said meeting the committee's environmentally friendly food guidelines might be difficult. But Burnap said the idea is to encourage businesses to use the guidelines, not impose them.

The The Denver 2008 Host Committee wants to go lean and green for delegates' meals at the Democratic National Convention and is suggesting how caterers and restaurants can do that.

The committee's suggestions go heavy on fruits and vegetables, locally grown and produced food and fresh ingredients.

The guidelines are voluntary and won't be the only criteria used to select caterers for 22 parties planned around Denver, said Parry Burnap, "greening" director for the nonprofit host committee.

Some caterers have said meeting the committee's environmentally friendly food guidelines might be difficult. But Burnap says the idea is to encourage businesses to use the guidelines, not impose them.

The Democratic National Convention is 83 days away. It runs August 25-28 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.