Corporate Social Responsibility

News

3.19.2008 - 01:00pm ET

CSR News from:	Carbonfund.org
News Categories:	Environment
	Sustainability

New World-Class Consumer Label Brings CarbonFree(R) Sugar to Shelves

Beyond the Organic Label, Florida Crystals and Carbonfund.org Partner to Introduce Organic Sugar Line to Carbon-Conscious Consumers

(CSRwire) SILVER SPRING, MD – March 19, 2008 – Carbonfund.org and Florida Crystals Corporation today announced the CarbonFree(R) certification of Florida Crystals(R) Organic and Natural Sugars, marking a growing trend of businesses that are bringing carbon-conscious consumerism directly to their customers and a growing number of eco-conscious consumers who scrutinize food production methods and seek products that minimize climate impact.Carbonfund.org's CarbonFree(R) certification, which will appear on Florida Crystals(R) Organic and Natural sugar products indicates that the product's entire carbon footprint will be rendered neutral through the support of greenhouse gas reduction projects, allowing consumers to make carbon-conscious buying decisions right in the store.

With a new line of sugar that offers organic, natural and CarbonFree(R) options, consumers can take a further step to combat global warming even at the grocery store. Meanwhile, a new Information Resources study shows that roughly half of all consumers now consider questions of sustainability in their purchasing decisions, with particular focus on the food and beverage industry.

Carbonfund.org certified Florida Crystals(R) organic and natural sugars CarbonFree(R) after a rigorous life cycle analysis (LCA) performed by Europe's premier carbon management consultants, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management. They determined the product's carbon footprint by assessing the primary inputs of planting and growing the sugar cane, through the harvesting, milling and packaging processes, to the product’s final delivery to store shelves. Each product's carbon footprint was rendered neutral through greenhouse gas cutting measures, specifically, through Florida Crystals' own production of renewable energy.

CarbonFree(R) product certification entails four main steps:

Determine the product's carbon footprint through an LCA

Certify and register the product as CarbonFree(R)

Offset the product's footprint through the support of greenhouse gas reduction projects

Conduct annual review and recertification

"CarbonFree(R) certification and labeling is the next big trend in environmentally responsible living," Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric Carlson said. "Florida Crystals is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing awareness among consumers of the impact their buying decisions have on the planet. We're very proud to work with them."

"Florida Crystals(R) certification is unique," said Luis Fernandez, Florida Crystals' Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Unlike other manufacturers who rely on the purchase of carbon credits from third parties, we are able to provide our products' carbon neutrality through our own production of renewable energy. We have a strong commitment to the environment and continue to invest in the expansion of our renewable energy program. We are proud to receive CarbonFree(R) certification."

Florida Crystals has been operating its renewable energy facility for a decade. It is the largest of its kind in North America and produces clean energy that power its sugar operations and tens of thousands of homes. By generating renewable energy using sugar cane and wood waste instead of fossil fuels, Florida Crystals prevents hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year. Florida Crystals also reduces foreign oil dependence by one million barrels per year.

Other Carbonfund.org CarbonFree(R) products include:

Tropical Traders' Royal Hawaiian Honey

Ecofuture's THEbulbTM

April 3rd Studios' Elusion DVD

About Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org is the country's leading carbon reduction and offset organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting high-quality verified renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. Carbonfund.org works with over 650 corporate and non-profit partners including Discovery, Allstate, Volkswagen, Dell, Orbitz, Environmental Defense, and Lancôme.

About Florida Crystals

Florida Crystals is a leading domestic sugar producer and North America's first fully integrated cane sugar company guiding its sugar from the field to the table with Florida Crystals(R) natural and organic brands. We are the first American sugar certified CarbonFree by Carbonfund.Org. Our renewable energy facility is the largest of its kind in North America and provides clean energy for sugar operations as well as 60,000 homes, which also helps us reduce our use of fossil fuels. Florida Crystals(R) is made from pure sun-sweetened sugar cane but it's "less refined" than traditional sugar, so it delivers a flavor that's unique and absolutely delicious. To learn more about our CarbonFree certification and our earth-friendly practices, visit us at www.floridacrystals.com.

For more information please contact:

Russell Simon, Communications Manager
Carbonfund.org
240-334-3681
www.carbonfund.org

Gary Black, Director, Sales and Marketing Strategy
614-741-4488 (office)

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