Contessa is "Going Greener"

People everywhere are coming to the unfortunate conclusion that our environment is in danger, and it's up to all of us to do something about it. Contessa is answering that call with the first "Green" frozen-food manufacturing plant in the world!

Contessa has long been committed to protecting the environment. Our shrimp is farm-raised and harvested through a process known as aquaculture, a sustainable, environmentally sound alternative to catching seafood in the wild. Our methods are entirely turtle-safe, and we've long supported conservation organizations dedicated to preserving a specific species of marine turtle. And now Contessa is taking that commitment one step further with its new Green Cuisine plant.

Located in Los Angeles, the new plant is certified by the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) New Construction (NC) green building rating system. Contessa's Green Cuisine plant achieved Gold-level certification.

The new plant uses advanced design, technology and processes to significantly reduce Contessa's environmental impact. Special features include:

• A solar-power array that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 730,000 pounds each year, producing an effect similar to conserving nearly 300 acres of pine forest.
• A water preheating system that saves energy by using waste heat from refrigeration compressors to preheat water used for sanitation purposes.
• An innovative loading dock that prevents the loss of refrigerated air, reducing temperature fluctuation — and energy use — in the loading dock area.
• Variable frequency drives that adjust the amount of power supplied to motors at specific times or under specific conditions to minimize energy use.

Contessa is proud of its efforts to minimize the environmental impact of its facilities and operations.

In fall 2007, Contessa Premium Foods literally provided the foundation for 16 local families to own a home for the very first time.

Contessa joined forces with Habitat for Humanity's 2007 Jimmy Carter Work Project, which took place in Los Angeles, where a total of 100 homes were built or repaired. Sixteen of the new homes are located just blocks from Contessa's San Pedro headquarters. Another 70 homes were rehabilitated for low-income homeowners.

As a symbolic gesture of Contessa's ongoing support of the local community, we've provided the funds needed to supply foundations for all 16 San Pedro homes.

During the five-day build period, 5,000 volunteers from all over the world traveled to San Pedro to work alongside the people who will live in the completed homes. Among them were 41 Contessa employees, including President and CEO John Z. Blazevich.

Blazevich grew up in San Pedro and holds the seafront harbor town close to his heart. Upon learning that the Jimmy Carter Work Project was planning a build there, he jumped at the chance to help 16 families call San Pedro their home.

Contessa's other community-outreach programs include its ongoing involvement in renewing the San Pedro waterfront area and its co-sponsorship of "Concerts on the Waterfront," a two-day music festival featuring internationally known recording artists. Blazevich's donation of a new marquis to the Warner Grand Theatre — a treasured historical landmark in the San Pedro community — drove an extensive renovation of the building. In fact, Contessa's involvement in the project was so great that it prompted the Warner Grand to recognize Blazevich with its Founder's Circle Award.

Contessa is grateful to Habitat for Humanity and the Jimmy Carter Work Project for providing this unique opportunity to support the local community.