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U.S. EPA Honors Central California Environmental Hero

Release Date: 04/20/2009
Contact Information: Contact: Wendy Chavez, 415-947-4248, [email protected]

40 groups and individuals recognized for outstanding aqchievement in protecting the environment

(San Francisco, Calif. -- 04/20/2009) During the agency's 11th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco today, U.S. EPA acting Regional Administrator Laura Yoshii recognized a Central California business in recognition of its efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2008.

“It is a great pleasure and honor that we can recognize the innovative and important environmental work achieved by this year’s impressive group of organizations and individuals, and the example they set for all of us to follow,” Yoshii said. “This year's winners and nominees have made superb efforts to protect and preserve our air, water and land, and increased awareness of the environmental challenges we all face.”

The Pacific Southwest’s Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitment and significant contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands. Forty groups and individuals were selected from over 200 nominees received this year from businesses, local, government officials, tribes, media, environmental organizations and community activists.

In 2008, FreshSense of Parlier, Calif., first introduced its Zeal brand into the retail market in an effort to promote sustainable farming practices and increase consumer awareness. All Zeal fruit complies with strict, environmentally-friendly growing standards and farming practices that focus on environmental stewardship and social responsibility. In addition, the Zeal brand is committed to sustainability through the entire supply chain. All the brand’s packaging and point of sale materials are designed to be low impact and sustainably produced. Once the fruit has been grown and harvested, it is packed into sustainably-produced cartons with advertising materials that educate and motivate the consumer.

For the complete list of winners, visit: https://www.epa.gov/region09/awards. Beginning today and throughout the coming weeks, a series of blogs will feature several of the winners at: https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2009/04/16/pacific-southwest-environmental-awards-we-are-inspired/