Golden State Foods Celebrates National Solar Day By Utilizing Solar Energy To Power Trucking Fleet's Lift Gates

Company Leverages Innovative Use of Solar to Solve Industrywide Challenge

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Jun 19, 2015, 07:56 ET

IRVINE, Calif., June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Solar Day, Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the world's largest suppliers to the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry is pleased to announce their adoption of solar energy to power pallet jacks and lift gates, extending the service life of lift gate electric batteries on their trucking fleet, thereby maximizing efficiency and minimizing the impact on the environment. By the end of 2015, each of the 10 Quality Custom Distribution (QCD) centers, a division of GSF, will be equipped with trucks utilizing the solar panels.

GSF embarked upon the use of alternative energy in 2012, beginning with traditional solar panels that power pallet jacks in Southern California. Within the past few months, GSF facilities in Southern California and Oregon have installed thin, flexible, weatherproof, high output solar panels to a total of 20 trailers and one tractor. The low profile solar panels passively charge the lift gate batteries during the day, regardless of whether the vehicles are on or off.

"It's a priority goal for GSF to utilize renewable energy or alternative fuels in 100 percent of our fleet by 2020," said Dimetria Jackson, director of corporate social responsibility and sustainability at Golden State Foods. "Through the innovative use of solar energy, we have eliminated an industrywide challenge of maintaining lift gate battery life during deliveries, allowing GSF to provide sustainable, consistent and reliable service to our customers."

With advances in technology, the new solar panels are a lightweight, thin film that is rolled onto the tops of trailers and tractors. The panels are flexible and work in both UV-A and UV-B light. Since installing the solar panels, GSF has eliminated battery related failure on delivery routes.

About Golden State Foods (GSF)
Golden State Foods (www.goldenstatefoods.com) is one of the world's largest diversified suppliers to the quick service restaurant industry. Established in 1947, the $7 billion company is values-based with proven performance in superior quality, innovation and customer service throughout the QSR industry. With approximately 5,500 employees worldwide, GSF services more than 125,000 stores in 60 countries on five continents from its 45+ facilities. Its core businesses include processing of liquid products, dairy, produce, protein, and full-line logistics to the food industry. The company also runs a national non-profit organization, the GSF Foundation for kids.

SOURCE Golden State Foods