Governor Kate Brown invited for ribbon cutting ceremony this Friday
HUBBARD, OR, August 30, 2017 – Northwest Hazelnut Company is celebrating the completion of their 100-percent offset solar array project with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 1 at 3:00pm at the main plant in Hubbard, Oregon (19748 Hwy. 99E, Hubbard, Ore.). Governor Kate Brown is invited and scheduled to participate.
“We’ve upgraded our facilities to make them energy efficient and nearly eliminate our carbon footprint,” says vice president Larry George. “With the completion of our solar array, Oregon is now leading the world in sustainable growing, packing and processing for the hazelnut industry.”
The solar array pictured is now producing nearly 549,200 kW/hr of power per year and offsets 100-percent of total site usage, making Northwest Hazelnut the first solar hazelnut processing plant in the world.
In the chocolate and ingredient industry, major manufacturers are looking for suppliers implementing sustainability into their operations. Northwest Hazelnut is constantly adapting to the needs and demands of consumers and companies like Ferrero (makers of Nutella and Rocher). Ferrero, the largest buyer of hazelnuts in the world, will send a representative to participate in the ceremony.
Oregon hazelnut farmers have excelled at sustainable growing practices. The completion of the solar array project now shows that we can process hazelnuts in a sustainable way. Oregon’s hazelnut industry is experiencing rapid growth with production expected to triple in size in the next seven years.
The co-owner of Northwest Hazelnut is former state senator Larry George, who served with Governor Brown in the Oregon State Senate.
About: Northwest Hazelnut Company (www.nwhazelnut.com) with its sister company, George Packing Company (www.georgepacking.com), make up the largest processors and marketers of hazelnuts in North America. Northwest Hazelnut Company leads the way in new technologies, processes and training. Each year, the company expands into new markets with new products and stands poised for the future growth of Oregon’s hazelnut production.
Keywords: Oregon, agriculture, sustainability, hazelnut growers, farmers, solar power, carbon footprint, manufacturing, environment, Northwest Hazelnut
