US-based Testa Produce has announced that its refrigerated foods distribution center in Chicago has received LEED Platinum certification - the highest level granted by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Testa Produce president Peter Testa said the company is excited to have received LEED Platinum certification.
"We wanted to raise the bar on sustainable operations in our industry to the highest level and this certification confirms that we succeeded. Ours is the first refrigerated food distribution facility in the nation to be certified LEED Platinum," Testa added.
According to the company, it has incorporated a range of energy-efficient features into the new facility. The features include a 750kW wind turbine, a partially vegetated roof, solar panels that heat 100% of the building's hot water, and a sophisticated water reclamation and treatment system.
Combined, these and other features generate a 60% savings in energy consumption at the 91,000 ft2 distribution center.
Testa Produce is Chicago's premier independent produce distributor. In addition to a broad line of fresh produce items, the company delivers frozen, canned, and specialty foods to fine restaurants, hotels, and institutions.
