Green Food Banks

The Walmart Foundation has announced $2 million in grants to help sixteen foodbanks become more energy efficient.

Awarded as part of Walmart's $2 billion commitment to help fight hunger, the grants will support low-cost upgrades to lighting, refrigeration, and heating and air conditioning equipment that performs better, uses less energy, and costs less to operate. By upgrading their equipment, the foodbanks are expected to save more than $625,000 in energy costs per year, which is enough to buy 390,000 pounds of food or more than 300,000 meals. Annually, the food banks also are expected to reduce their energy use by more than 5.2 million kilowatt hours, which is enough to power more than 400 homes, remove more than 700 vehicles from the road, or counteract more than 3,700 metric tons of carbon emissions.

"These grants underscore Walmart's commitment to lead on both hunger relief and sustainability," said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. "Every dollar these foodbanks save on energy costs is another dollar they can use to help meet the hunger needs of their local communities."

“Walmart Foundation Gives $2 Million to Help 'Green' Foodbanks.” Walmart Foundation Press Release 1/18/11.