Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC has become a member of the Steering Committee of Solarize the Triad — a public-private coalition formed to help homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits in our community become more resilient, reduce energy expenses, and save on the cost of renewable energy systems by obtaining volume discounts on materials and installation services—the more that participate, the greater the savings!
Solarize the Triad has been created by a coalition of individuals and organizations in the Triad region dedicated to:
Increasing awareness of local solar energy benefits
Providing practical education, community outreach, and support
Reducing costs through group purchasing of materials and installation services
Creating a path toward greater and speedier local solar adoption
By providing volume discounts on materials and installation services, Solarize campaigns are driven by community group purchasing. The more participants who take part in purchasing, the greater the economic savings for all.
In addition to Second Harvest, other Steering Committee members include: Piedmont Environmental Alliance, Piedmont Federal Bank, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Piedmont Triad Community Development, Ardmore United Methodist Church, Goler Community Development Corporation, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Boston-Thurmond United, Morningside and Reynolds Park Association, Forsyth Audubon, North Carolina League of Conservation Voters, and Solar Crowdsource.
Solarize campaigns have been adopted in numerous communities around the country since their inception in 2009 as a method to help local residents achieve energy independence together. Solarize The Triad is the first such campaign of its kind mounted in this region since 2015.
Solar energy can help to achieve energy independence and stimulate local economic growth. Going solar can also reduce energy and economic burdens. Among the campaign’s goals are to create a program for deeper cost reductions for a number of qualified low- and moderate-income residents to receive new energy systems to reduce their household energy costs.
As a leading community organization, Second Harvest continues to expand its impact in the realm of environmental sustainability and sustainable food systems. Our “Solar Harvest” rooftop solar project is a leading example of how solar installation can help reduce operating costs and provide additional resources to support core mission activity.
The concept and practice of food banking itself is a community-based solution to food insecurity and food waste, with food banks operating as an integral component of a sustainable food system. Since Second Harvest opened its doors in 1982, tons of food and household goods have been diverted from the landfill every day.
Second Harvest’s Sustainability Committee launched in the spring of 2021, as plans for construction of Second Harvest’s new headquarters facility and teaching garden in Whitaker Park were taking shape. This cross-departmental “Green Team” seeks to extend Second Harvest’s sustainability efforts further, with a focus on environmental and economic stewardship. Since Second Harvest's move to its new energy-efficient headquarters, the Sustainability Committee has led and supported a variety of activities and initiatives toward further “greening” the Food Bank, including:
Expanded diversion of food waste to livestock feed and compost via partnerships with local farmers, along with the planned use of de-packaging equipment and Organix Recycling.
In-office composting with the use of compostable service ware, in partnership with the local Gallins Family Farm.
In-office recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, and printer cartridges.
Recycling of used cooking oil from our commercial kitchens into biofuel, via Green Energy Biofuel.
Installation of a rainwater collection system in our Fitzgerald Teaching Garden.
In addition to our Solar Harvest 1 MW rooftop solar project, Second Harvest is pursuing ways to educate the community about the use of alternative farming techniques, including hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics via a new program – Innovation Farm.
In the realm of environmental advocacy, Second Harvest partners with the Piedmont Environmental Alliance as a member of their Green Business Network, Environmental Action Coalition, and annual Earth Day Fair sponsor/exhibitor.
Comments