Solar Powered FoodWorks

PRESS RELEASE

Yackandandah FoodWorks have just installed 80kW of solar panels on their roof, moving Yackandandah one step closer to its goal of becoming 100% renewable by the year 2022.

Proprietor’s Nick and Karen Cook have owned the business in Yackandandah since 2005 and remain committed to providing an excellent range of groceries to service locals and visitors to the town.  These goals led them to the construction of a new store in 2008 providing ongoing local employment, excellent service and great food. This excellence was once again recognised last month when Yackandandah FoodWorks was awarded FoodWorks 2016 national medium store of the year. These goals are also evident at the Cooks other stores in Mt Beauty, Falls Creek and Myrtleford.

During the week Mr. Cook said “We have been watching our energy use carefully over the past five years and working to reduce our demand. We have taken steps to make our refrigeration run more efficiently and invested in state of the art systems and now that the price of solar panels have fallen so dramatically they also just make great business sense.” “With solar, we can reduce our power bills, cut the carbon emissions associated with operations and support efforts by the local community to guide Yackandandah to 100% renewable electricity by the year 2022.”

Cook also observed “…we use quite a lot of power given the need to run so much refrigeration to chill or freeze perishables foods. The solar panels help us provide these foods in a more affordable way.”

FoodWorks have a proud history of supporting community activities across the North East.  Through the ‘Spirit of Community Scheme,’ the Cooks have given back over $150,000 to community activities and groups.

President of community energy group, Totally Renewable Yackandandah, Matthew Charles-Jones says “We are thrilled that the FoodWorks team have taken this step and it is further evidence that an energy transformation is well underway, both within Yackandandah and around the world.” “We are fortunate to now have access to affordable, safe, reliable and positive ways to generate renewable electricity.”

“This supermarket installation joins an inspiring and expanding list of homes and organisations switching to solar in our community.  The petrol station, museum, school, kindergarten, neighbourhood house, health service, council offices and mens shed all sport solar panels.” explained Mr Charles-Jones.

Media inquires:

Foodworks  Mr Nick Cook 03 5754 1400

Totally Renewable Yackandandah  Mr Matthew Charles-Jones 0458 988 122