Krasdale Foods goes live with solar energy system atop distribution center

Metro New York-area grocery wholesaler Krasdale Foods has launched a solar energy system—one of the largest in New York City—on top of its Hunts Point distribution center.

White Plains, New York-based Krasdale said its new 2.7-megawatt community solar project, announced nearly two years ago, will generate an estimated 3.4 million kilowatt hours of solar energy per year, avoiding the carbon emissions equivalent to powering more than 300 homes annually. The carbon offset also is equal to the amount sequestered by 2,850 acres of U.S. forests per year, the distributor reported, citing Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

For the solar project, Krasdale partnered with PowerFlex, a national provider of renewable energy infrastructure. A launch event was held on Wednesday at Krasdale’s Hunts Point facility and was attended by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and New York State Assembly member Amanda Septimo, among others.

“We are proud to partner with PowerFlex on this monumental community solar project,” Krasdale President and Chief Operating Officer Gus Lebiak said in a statement. “Krasdale continues our mission of helping the communities we serve, and this new solar roof is a commitment to clean energy for the Bronx, its residents and Krasdale employees.”

As a community project, the solar power system—with more than 6,500 solar panels—offers Bronx residents the opportunity to subscribe and receive credits on their electricity bill for a portion of the energy generated. Krasdale noted that community solar provides access to clean, renewable energy for homeowners, renters and business owners who may not have optimal conditions to install solar panels directly on-site.

“For decades, large trucks have regularly driven in and out of the Hunts Point food distribution center, pumping pollution into the air and highlighting the need for clean energy in the area,” stated New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Krasdale Foods is stepping up to offset those emissions and power up solar energy in Hunts Point with the Bronx’s largest solar power installation. I want to thank Krasdale Foods and PowerFlex for doing their part in the fight against climate change and for helping to bring sustainable living to our city.”

PowerFlex received more than $1.3 million in support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) through its NY-Sun Program.

“It’s rewarding to work with Krasdale on this large onsite community solar project that will generate a significant amount of renewable energy and help the company achieve its sustainability goals,” said Raphael Declercq, CEO of PowerFlex. “This community solar system will harness the clean energy of the sun to power Krasdale’s operations, as well as hundreds of families in the Bronx. This notable project demonstrates that, together, we can achieve a cleaner, greener future.”

Overall, Krasdale supplies more than 300 independent supermarkets in the Northeast and Florida, mainly in metropolitan New York. Store banners it supplies include C-Town, Bravo, Aim and Market Fresh supermarkets; mini-groceries Shop Smart Food Markets and Stop 1 Food Mart; and a host of delis, drugstores, convenience stores and other independent retailers selling food and groceries, reaching around 2,500 retailers overall. The company operates a 325,000-square-foot distribution center in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx.