Learning Tour: Testa Produce by CulinaryHistory

Testa Produce, Inc. is a 100-year-old family owned and operated produce distributor for foodservice entities around the Midwest including restaurants, hotels, schools, country clubs, sporting arenas and hospitals.

Barbara Daly guided us through Testa’s new LEED* Platinum Refrigerated Foodservice facility (2011) designed by Epstein is the first of its kind in the United States. The warehouse features sustainable technologies including a 750kW wind turbine producing 30% of the building’s energy needs, a huge solar grid for heating potable water, an extensive water management system which recovers rain and graywater for non-potable purposes, LED lighting, skylighting, electric/compressed natural gas delivery trucks and a vegetated roof.

Behind the Scenes Access: Tour the massive distribution warehouse where all of the produce and packaged foods are received and sorted. Then step onto the green roof to get a closer look at the only full-size wind turbine in the city and an uninterrupted view of the downtown skyline.

Special notes with your safety and comfort in consideration:
- Closed toe shoes only, no sandals, open toed shoes or flip-flops.
- We will walk through refrigerated areas with temperatures less than 40 degrees F. Please bring a sweater to keep yourself warm.
- No earrings, dangling necklaces or rings which might catch, this is a working warehouse with safety a consideration.

This program is hosted by the Chicago Foodways Roundtable.

*LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.

Friday, August 22nd, 2014 at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM

Testa Produce Inc.
4555 South Racine, Chicago
www.testaproduce.com