SAN FRANCISCO — In a ceremony yesterday at the Food Marketing Institute’s Food Industry Sustainability Summit here, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave out a slew of awards yesterday recognizing members of its GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership

Giant Eagle received the Environmental Achievement Award for best refrigerant emission rate of 7.8%; the estimated industry average is 25%. Giant Eagle and Supervalu were recognized for surpassing their emission targets, and Giant Eagle was also given an award for exceeding its “stretch goal” of 8%.

Food Lion was given a distinguished partner award for “sharing everything they learn with other GreenChill partners,” said Keilly Witman, communication specialist for the EPA’s Stratospheric Protection Division, who presented the awards.

Refrigeration manufacturer Hill Phoenix also received a distinguished partner award for its advanced refrigeration technology, including compact chillers and secondary loop systems. Whole Foods received an award for the highest percentage reduction of emissions chainwide. And Price Chopper’s Colonie, N.Y., store was recognized for being the “best of the best” stores in GreenChill’s certification program, using less than 300 pounds of refrigerant and having a 1% leak rate.

New partner awards, given to food retailers that have recently joined GreenChill, were given to Sweetbay, Organic Valley, Fresh & Easy, Raley’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, King Kullen and Wild by Nature.

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