Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, US Foods activated a 430-kilowatt solar power system at its distribution center in Albuquerque NM recently. Consisting of 1,772 photovoltaic panels, the rooftop solar array and will provide nearly 25% of the facility’s energy needs.
At its peak, the solar array will generate 711,000 kilowatt-hours annually—enough electricity to power 71 average New Mexico homes.
The installation was commemorated by a “Flip the Switch” event at the Albuquerque division. Attendees included:
•Patricia Dominguez, office of US Rep Martin Heinrich
•Christine Landavazo, office of US Sen Jeff Bingaman
•Bianca Ortiz Wertheim, office of US Sen Tom Udall
•Michael Padilla, New Mexico state senator-elect
•Tom Zdunek, Bernalillo county manager
•Art De La Cruz, Bernalillo County commissioner
The solar panel installation is the latest in a series of green initiatives implemented at the Albuquerque division. Prior improvements have included green landscaping and installation high-efficiency lighting throughout the facility.
US Foods is leasing the solar panels from Distributed Sun LLC, a commercial solar developer. The new solar panel array will offset the equivalent of 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 25 years. In addition to the Albuquerque location, US Foods has installed solar panels at power distribution centers in Perth Amboy NJ, La Mirada CA, Phoenix AZ, and San Francisco CA.
In related news, US Foods also celebrated the expansion of its distribution center in Memphis TN. The expansion more than doubled the size of the previous facility and will enable the company to better serve western Tennessee, western Kentucky, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi. The newly expanded building was also dedicated to former Memphis Division President Joe Campbell, who died earlier in 2012.
Among improvements to the facility is a new state-of-the-art kitchen where the company will host product demonstrations for customers and an on-site truck repair shop.
The division marked the event by hosting a celebration for local dignitaries, customers, and employees. During the event the building was officially dedicated to Campbell, who played an instrumental role in the expansion project.
The Memphis division has more than 375 employees and serves thousands of customers throughout the Southern region, including independent restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, and government and educational institutions.
