June 10, 2010

U.S. Foodservice-San Francisco Runs Fleet on Biodiesel

SAN FRANCISCO - U.S. Foodservice‐San Francisco, the only green‐certified broadline food distributor in the state of California, is now running its entire delivery fleet on biodiesel fuel.

All of the San Francisco division's 136 tractors and 148 trailers have been using B-5 fuel since January.

"We take our commitment as a green certified business very seriously," said Phil Collins, president of U.S. Foodservice‐San Francisco. "That means that reducing our environmental footprint is a key component of our business strategy. We must not only set the example as a good environmental citizen but help our customers to do the same."

Using biodiesel fuel is expected to reduce the U.S. Foodservice‐San Francisco fleet's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 333 metric tons - or 734,000 lbs. - annually.

The San Francisco division has been experimenting with the alternative fuel source since 2006 and is the fourth U.S. Foodservice division to use biodiesel in its fleet. It joins divisions in Atlanta; Streator, Ill.; and Plymouth, Minn.

In 2010, U.S. Foodservice will also continue to explore the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in fueling its delivery fleet.