CHICO, Calif.–Smucker Natural Foods Inc., manufacturer of natural and organic brands R.W. Knudsen Family® and Santa Cruz Organic®, and niche brands Natural Brew® and ME™, announced its new Chico, CA, distribution facility earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The 157,000-square-foot warehouse generates 94 percent of its total energy needs and is the first LEED-certified building in Butte County.
“We are extremely excited about our new LEED-certified warehouse, as it brings us closer to our overall sustainability goals,” said Bob Wagner, Smucker Natural Foods’ Chico facility operations manager. “This project, in conjunction with our ongoing commitment to resource reduction, reuse and recycling, has resulted in a remarkable decrease to our operations environmental impact.”
LEED certification of the Smucker Natural Foods warehouse was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community, including water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site.
LEED is the nation’s preeminent benchmark program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. By using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.