FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Denise M Lopez, 559-393-3398
Cristina Foods, Inc. recognized for environmental commitment to clean renewable energy and sustainable business practices.
Chicago — Today, during the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce September membership meeting , the national Latino environmental advocacy group VOCES VERDES awarded its annual Green Leadership Award to Cristina Foods, Inc., for its sustainable business practices and commitment to clean energy.
“VOCES is very proud to honor Cristina Foods, Inc. as a leading company committed to creating positive community and environmental impact through sustainable business initiatives,” said Adriana Quintero, Senior Attorney and Founder at VOCES. “Good corporate citizenship and sustainability must go hand-in-hand with our social and environmental responsibility to take action against the threat of climate change.”
Cristina Foods, Inc., located in the heart of Chicago’s Back-of-the-Yards neighborhood at the south end of the old Stockyards, occupies a portion of the only LEED Certified-Platinum food distribution facility in the country. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. Cristina Foods is the only food distribution facility in the country operating in a LEED Certified-Platinum building.
“At Cristina Foods, we are very proud of the facility’s LEED Certified-Platinum distinction,” said Dovalina Jr., “This is a crucial element of our commitment to long term environmental sustainability and community investment – and will undoubtedly remain an objective of ours as we continue to make more progress toward a more sustainable future. We are simply doing our part to protect the earth and our natural resources and are thankful to VOCES and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for this wonderful recognition.”
Among the many sustainable characteristics and building features of the Cristina Foods’ facility are: a wind turbine that generates between 30-35 percent of the daily electricity needed to power the operation as well as a set of solar panels that provide an additional 5 percent. Further, a planted roof captures most of the rain and channels it into a 5,000 gallon filtering container before sending the water into a pond; this generates 75 percent of the non-potable water needs of the facility.
“An increasing number of businesses across the state and country are turning to LEED certification to improve the efficiency of their facilities and redirect resources that could help bring about new jobs,” said Omar Duque, President and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “LEED is recognized across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building. Cesar is an exemplary Chamber member and principled business man, so it’s only fitting that he would come away with such a notable honor.”
The VOCES Green Leadership Award was established in 2010. VOCES will continue to elevate the work of Hispanic business leaders who are blazing the trail in fighting climate change while promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
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The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the leading Hispanic business, networking, advocacy and development organization in Illinois and is now the largest community of Hispanic business owners in Illinois and the Midwest.
Cristina Foods is a wholesale foodservice distributor who is quality, service, and sustainability-driven.