(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071213/NYTH064 )
Attending the event were several Connecticut politicians including Donald
E. Williams, Jr., Connecticut State Senator, John Hollay, Office of
Representative Congressman Joseph D. Courtney, and Jeffrey Nelson, Director of
the Eastern Office for Governor M. Jodi Rell. Also in attendance were
representatives from Solar Works, CCEF and United Natural Foods.
"From our very first meeting with United Natural Foods, it was very
apparent that the company was committed to raising the bar for environmental
stewardship in New England. They took this project seriously and worked with
us in a collaborative manner at every step along the way," commented Ron
French, President of Solar Works Inc. "We couldn't be more pleased with what
we've accomplished together and the ongoing environmental benefit that will be
derived from this project."
Timothy Bowles, Chairman of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Board,
stated, "We applaud United Natural Foods' ongoing commitment to sustainability
and providing solutions to climate change. As the largest solar installation
supported by CCEF to date through the fund's On-site Renewable Distributed
Generation Program, the UNFI solar array will benefit ratepayers by not only
improving our environment but also reducing our demand on the electric grid at
times of peak demand."
"We're very pleased to partner with CCEF and Solar Works in such a
worthwhile endeavor," said Michael Funk, President and Chief Executive Officer
of United Natural Foods. "This project is just the latest initiative in
United Natural Foods' commitment to Environmentally Responsible Initiatives,
helping to create a greener environment by utilizing clean, renewable energy."
In October 2007, United Natural Foods installed a one megawatt solar electric
system at its natural foods distribution facility in Rocklin, CA. Combined,
the two solar power systems are expected to power approximately 190 average
American households for a year and reduce CO2 emissions by 854 metric tons
annually.
The Dayville, CT distribution facility serves as both United Natural
Foods' corporate headquarters, as well as a regional distribution center in
the Company's nationwide distribution network. The facility employs more than
500 people and serves customers in both the New England and New York areas.
United Natural Foods has the largest warehouse capacity of any distributor in
the natural products industry and currently has more than 5.4 million square
feet of space at 21 distribution centers nationwide.
Photos of the event are available at:
ftp://ftp3.unfi.com/from-unfi/Dayville_solar.zip
About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is administered
by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public organization. CCEF promotes the
development and commercialization of clean energy technologies; the creation
of clean energy supply; and the demand for electricity from clean, renewable
sources in Connecticut in order to strengthen Connecticut's economy, protect
community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply
for the state. CCEF's funding comes from a surcharge on electric ratepayers'
utility bills. For more information on CCEF, please visit
http://www.ctcleanenergy.com.
About Solar Works Inc.
Solar Works, Inc. (http://www.solarworksinc.com) is the leading solar
electric systems integrator in the Northeast serving commercial, institutional
and residential customers. Over the past 25 years, Solar Works has installed
over 800 renewable energy systems. Solar Works has expertise in engineering
design, project management, performance analysis, project financing and
renewable energy credit programs. Founded in 1980, Solar Works is active in
commercializing new technologies and developing renewable energy programs for
both public and private sector clients.
About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes more than 40,000
products to more than 17,000 customers nationwide. The Company serves a wide
variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural
product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service
channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes in 2005 as one of the
"Best Managed Companies in America," ranked by Fortune in 2006 and 2007 as one
of its "Most Admired Companies," and ranked by Business Ethics as one of its
"100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2006."
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve
risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties,
which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to general business
conditions, the impact of competition and our dependence on principal
customers, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
filed with the Commission on December 6, 2007, and its other filings under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any forward-looking statements
are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and,
as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to
update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of
its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future
results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee
that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change
and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from
time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not
obligated to do so.
SOURCE United Natural Foods, Inc.
http://www.ctcleanenergy.com