$20,000 donation brings Sun Club to Philadelphia and renewable energy to urban farmer’s market
Philadelphia, PA – Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ has “spread the sunshine” to Pennsylvania with its donation to Greensgrow Farms, an urban farm in Philadelphia providing farm fresh, organic produce to city dwellers. The $20,000 donation will fund a new solar array to power various farm operations. The donation is being made by the Sun Club, a voluntary program in which Green Mountain Energy Company residential customers, including those in Philadelphia, make monthly contributions toward solar generation systems for non-profits.
Greensgrow Farms is a non-profit organization located five minutes from Center City Philadelphia, where fresh produce is hard to find. On a mission to provide organic, sustainable foods to urban communities, Greensgrow’s solar array will generate pollution-free electricity from the sun for the farm, reducing Greensgrow’s electricity costs and minimizing its environmental impact. The cost savings will allow them to expand their programs and promote their mission to revitalize communities through the practice of sustainable, entrepreneurial urban agriculture.
“As an organization that deals directly with the environment and is in fact dependent upon it, sustainable business practices are extremely important to us,” said Mary Seton Corboy, Founder and Chief Farm Hand, Greensgrow Farms. “We are extremely grateful for this generous donation from the Sun Club and look forward to expanding our reach with the help of this renewable energy source.”
The solar array, planned for installation later this year, is one of many elements Greensgrow employs to minimize its environmental footprint. Some of its notable features include washing machines stripped down to spin-dry lettuce, honey bees perched on top of a biodiesel shed, green roofs on composting toilets, an abandoned house-turned-office space and a deck made from old pallets and water bottles.All of these features serve as visual education elements that help teach visitors, volunteers, and farmers about upcycling, sustainable agriculture and now, thanks to this donation, renewable energy.
“The Sun Club is proud to assist Greensgrow Farms with its important mission to rethink land and abandoned spaces for the greater good of the community,” said Tony Napolillo, Sun Club Program Manager, Green Mountain Energy Company. “We couldn’t have found a more fitting recipient of the first major Sun Club donation in Pennsylvania.”
Pictures from the event will be added to Green Mountain Energy’s Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenmtnenergy/
Celebrate Earth Month in Philadelphia
While most of the planet celebrates Earth Day only on April 22, Green Mountain celebrates the Earth every day. Throughout the month of April we’re celebrating our customers’ and our own sustainability successes at special events in each of our markets. Our month-long conservation activities include online and in-person events in Philadelphia, where we’ll be connecting more closely with community members and the environment!
- Philadelphia Science Festival: April 18-28
- NarbEARTH Day: April 20
- Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival: May 5
Declare whether you’re an eco-champion or energy waster by taking our quiz at www.facebook.com/greenmountaineenergycompany. Plus, get tips and tricks to reduce your usage and help the environment by visiting our Energy Saver Center online at www.greenmountain.com/energysaver.
Greensgrow Farms
Greensgrow is a nationally recognized leader in urban farming and is open to the public year round. It offers a wide variety of produce-related services, including the urban farm, a nursery, farmstand, City Supported Agriculture (CSA) seasonal shares, a community kitchen, and various mobile markets. As part of their Local Initiative for Food Education (LIFE) program, the organization aims to break down the financial, logistical, and educational barriers that contribute to the deteriorating health of Philadelphia communities.
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers in New York, Pennsylvania and Texas have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Direct monthly contributions from customers go toward the funding of solar installations. Since the program’s founding in 2002, Sun Club members have helped install more than 520 kilowatts of solar power, preventing over 787,300 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. That’s like not driving 878,500 miles or 390 households turning off their lights for a year. For more information, visit www.gmsunclub.com.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s longest serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. Founded in 1997, the company is a green power pioneer and celebrates more than 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made”. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity, as well as carbon offsets and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 19.4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Visit us online at www.GreenMountain.com and learn more about our campaign for good at www.greenmountain.com/forgood.
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