Kettle Foods Blows Off Conventional Energy, Commits to 100 Percent Wind Power
Posted on: Monday, 2 October 2006, 12:00 CDT
First solar energy, then biodiesel fuel and now wind power. Today Kettle Foods, maker of the nation's No. 1 selling natural potato chip, is blowing off conventional energy sources with renewable wind energy. The company announced that starting this month it is purchasing wind energy credits to offset 100 percent of its electricity use in the U.S.
By purchasing 8,750,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy credits (REC) annually, Kettle Foods will prevent more than 12 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution (CO2), the major contributing cause of global warming. That's equivalent to taking 1,000 cars off the road or planting 1,600 acres of trees. In partnership with Renewable Choice Energy, the leading national provider of clean and renewable sources of energy, Kettle Foods joins the ranks of natural food leader Whole Foods Market in its commitment to offsetting the environmental impact of its electricity use with wind power.
"It's about doing the right thing. It's what our employees stand for and our customers expect," said Tim Fallon, Kettle Foods president North America. "Kettle Foods cares as much about minimizing our environmental impact as we do the great taste of our all natural products. Wind was a logical next step in our growing commitment to renewable energy."
Kettle Foods' Commitment Runs Deep
Kettle Foods has a strong track record of sustainable business practices. The company also generates 130,000 kilowatt hours of solar power annually at its Salem, Ore., headquarters, home to one of the largest photovoltaic solar arrays in the state. That's enough to make 250,000 bags of Kettle™ brand potato chips every year. Its long-standing commitments also include recycling used cooking oil into biodiesel, restoring and caring for several acres of wetlands adjacent to its plant, and giving back to the community each year in time, money and 100,000 pounds of potatoes and chips.
In addition to offsetting all energy used at the Kettle Foods headquarters, the company will also extend its wind power commitment to its new plant in Beloit, Wis., which is slated to begin production early next year. The partnership with Renewable Choice Energy allows Kettle Foods to use the same wind energy provider for both plants while supporting wind farms in both regions of the country. Currently in the construction phase, the new facility is being built to stringent green building standards with the ambitious goal of LEED Gold certification. Other sustainable projects planned for the Beloit plant include the rehabilitation and restoration of surrounding prairie land.
About Kettle Foods
Founded in 1978, Oregon-based Kettle Foods is a privately owned company committed to producing great tasting, all-natural snacks with a caring commitment to its employees, craft and community. In doing so, it leads the industry as the No. 1 salty snack brand in natural supermarkets, with distribution throughout North America, Japan, Guam and Western Europe. Its manufacturing sites in Salem, Ore., and Norwich, United Kingdom produce more than 20 flavors and four varieties of potato chip offerings, seven flavors of organic tortilla chips and a variety of nut butters and trail mixes. Visit www.kettlefoods.com for more information.
About Renewable Choice Energy
Based on Boulder, Colo., Renewable Choice Energy (www.renewablechoice.com) is a leading national provider and marketer of wind power. Renewable Choice plays an integral role in connecting wind power producers with the wind power consumer. Renewable Choice Energy is certified to sell wind energy credits anywhere in the United States and has a diverse customer base that includes Fortune 500 companies, retailers, manufacturers, cities, universities and residential customers. As a pioneer in wind power marketing, Renewable Choice Energy has helped develop many industry standards and best practices, and is the leading supplier to LEED certified green building projects. Renewable Choice Energy does not just serve existing demand for wind power, but actively grows the potential market for wind power with innovative marketing strategies.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Wind farm b-roll and still photography available upon request.
Source: Business Wire
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