5.08.2008 - 02:13pm ET

(CSRwire) EUGENE, OR - May 8, 2008 - Organically Grown Company (OGC) announces the publication of its fourth annual sustainability report. The Northwest's largest organic produce distributor believes in transparently sharing the steps taken and results achieved, and the challenges it encounters in its sustainability efforts.

The annual report marks the company's significant progress toward achieving its long-term sustainability goals of 1) achieving carbon neutrality and eliminating fossil fuel use; 2) eliminating solid waste and toxic substance; 3) achieving on-farm sustainability and small/medium farm viability; 4) fostering a healthy and fulfilling workplace.

"Our long-term goals are ambitious," says Natalie Reitman-White, Organically Grown Company's Sustainability Coordinator and author of the report. "We feel that we must set the bar high in order to address climate change and other pressing challenges."

Here are highlights of OGC's 2007 achievements:

• 99.3 percent of products sold are organic


• 31 percent of products sold come from Northwest farms


• 100 percent of the electricity used to operate all facilities, including offices and warehouses, comes from clean wind sources


• 31 percent biodiesel blend (most sourced from used cooking oil) is used in the entire fleet of trucks – a 100 percent increase over 2006


• 784 cubic yards of waste were diverted from the landfill – a 50 percent reduction in total solid waste disposed and a 100 percent increase in the amount of material recycled and composted


• OGC reduced its emissions of carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming


• OGC has been one of the leading sponsors of the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association, which works with organic food producers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers to transition to more sustainable business practices


• OGC helped draft a "Declaration of Sustainability for the Organic Food Industry." The eleven point action plan promotes education and action to achieve more sustainable practices in the organic food trade

• City of Eugene—"Mayor's Bold Steps Toward Sustainability Award" for sustainability initiatives


• Clean Cities Coalition-"Fleet of the Year" for OGC's commitment to reducing the emissions of its fleet through increased efficiency measures and responsibly sourced biodiesel


• Easy Street-"First company/customer to choose 100 percent renewable power" for the operation of servers and data storage

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