Green Grocer Cuts Emissions at its Check Outs

Planet Organic Market, one of Canada's leading retailers of organic and natural foods, has become a part of the growing number and variety of businesses harnessing wind power. The company decided to ramp up environmental efforts by purchasing wind power for all of its computers and cash registers. Their purchase of 24 megawatt-hours of wind energy reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 24 tonnes — equivalent of taking 20 cars off the road for an entire year.

"Planet Organic Market's commitment to health is impressive," says Marlo Raynolds, Executive Director at the Pembina Institute. Health and the environment go hand in hand — you are what you eat, breathe and drink. Planet Organic recognizes this and knows that clean, renewable sources of energy have direct health benefits and are worth investing in. Our wind power program makes it easy for individuals, organizations and small businesses to purchase wind power, whether they want to start small or jump right in and go carbon neutral," he explains.

"We're pleased to help the environment in a real way, " says Diane Shaskin, co-founder and Vice-President of Marketing at Planet Organic Markets.   Our company tries to support the environment in any way we possibly can. We believe in good food that is healthy and good for the earth. "

Planet Organic and the Pembina Institute are working together to spread the word on the benefits and options around wind power, which are growing all the time. A special staff and customer awareness and incentive program is being developed and will be rolled out over the next few months with an emphasis in the Calgary store location. More information is available at www.planetorganic.ca and www.ilovewindpower.com.

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For more information contact:

Marlo Raynolds, Executive Director

The Pembina Institute

Phone: 403.269.3344 Ext 117

marlor@pembina.org

Tiffany Auvinen

Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

Planet Organic Market

Phone: 250.727.9838 Ext. 34

tauvinen@planetorganic.ca

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