Boone, Iowa-based Fareway Stores Inc. has a long-standing tradition of conserving natural resources that dates back to 1938. From the beginning, its green initiatives have included recycling, reusing and reclaiming, and these protocols continue to be exercised as the company celebrates 85 years of sustainable practices.
Most recently, Fareway has employed technology to help further its reach in energy efficiency. In June, Fareway and Alliant Energy will break ground on a one-megawatt solar facility in the Boone Industrial Park on six-acres, adjacent to Fareway’s campus. The solar facility will accelerate Alliant Energy’s sustainability goals to eliminate all coal from its generation fleet by 2040 and achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity they generate by 2050.
Additionally, Fareway’s ongoing initiative to implement solar can be seen across several store locations, including an off-site solar partnership in Faribault, Minnesota, commitments on construction in Kansas City, Missouri, and Norwalk, Iowa, and a new installation in Ottumwa, Iowa. The Ottumwa solar project employs 128 bifacial modules for a 63kW array. Fareway has also invested in implementing solar projects in partnership with local utilities and other companies.
As the electric vehicle charging station network expands across the state, Fareway has partnered to host electric vehicle fast-charging locations in several store locations across Iowa, including Adel, Clive, Cresco, Des Moines (Fleur), Knoxville, Norwalk, Sheldon and Sioux City. Primarily along highways, this network of charging stations is intended to serve motorists.
“We are proud of our tradition and commitment to conserve natural resources,” said CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. “By partnering on additional energy efficiency initiatives, we are helping build stronger communities and provide direct benefits to our customers and area residents.”
Since 1955, Fareway has captured heat from in-store refrigeration compressors, reclaiming it to heat the building. Fareway’s green initiatives also include coordinating backhauls to save fuel and a company-wide food rescue program that provides for more than 900,000 meals annually.
Fareway Stores Inc. is a Midwest grocery company operating 134 stores in a seven-state region. Fareway is a family-owned business, recognized as a top 10 employer in Iowa and has more than 12,000 employees.
For more information, visit fareway.com.
