HEXO Corp and the Ottawa Food Bank are collaborating to provide better access to healthy and sustainable food to the region.
HEXO Corp has made a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank for the installation of solar panels to power cold storage at its farm in Stittsville. "The solar power harnessed for the Ottawa Food Bank’s refrigeration system increases its capacity to distribute fresh food across Ottawa and to reduce spoilage, waste and daily transport to its warehouse," the team with the company explains.
"Fresh food represents 43% of the 5.5 million pounds of food that the Ottawa Food Bank delivers throughout Ottawa every year. In the summer, most fruit and vegetables distributed are from its farm. Last year alone, the Ottawa Food Bank grew more than 136,000 lbs of fresh local produce."
“The addition of cold storage at our farm will ensure we keep our produce fresh from the second we take it out of the ground,” says Michael Maidment, CEO, Ottawa Food Bank. “This incredible donation from HEXO is a great contribution, making it possible for us to provide healthy, accessible, sustainable food for all who require emergency food assistance in our community.”
In addition to its financial contribution, HEXO will also provide the Ottawa Food Bank with expert advice on solar energy, through Valerie Roux, HEXO’s Director of Facilities and Security and a LEED certified professional.
“Our company is committed to supporting vulnerable people and to protecting the planet,” says Terry Lake, HEXO’s Vice-President of Corporate and Social Responsibility. “Partnering with the Ottawa Food Bank to improve access to fresh food through a renewable energy source is in total alignment with our corporate values.”
“We are happy to say that the cold storage at the Ottawa Food Bank farm will be ‘Powered by HEXO,’” concludes Michael Maidment.
For more information:
Hexo Corp.
204-490, Boulevard Saint-Joseph,
Gatineau, QC J8Y 3Y7
1-866-438-8429
invest@hexo.com
hexocorp.com