In 2006, FullBloom Baking Co. purchased a 95,000-sq.-ft. food manufacturing plant , which has received the platinum certification, or the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council.

When FullBloom Baking Co. needed to expand in 2006, the producer of private label baked goods purchased a 95,000-sq.-ft. food manufacturing plant with a goal to be one of the nation’s greenest wholesale baking companies.

It took about two years of retrofitting for the Newark, Calif.-based bakery to receive the platinum certification, or the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“This certification speaks to the contributions made by the entire FullBloom team – from our management team to our bakery employees – all of whom remain committed to the vision I had for my company 21 years ago,” says Karen Trilevsky, CEO and founder of the company.

Since it was founded in 1989, FullBloom has made all-natural bakery products for some of the nation’s leading brands. Specifically, the bakery produces fresh, frozen, par-baked and pre-packed baked goods for local, regional and national distribution

To transform its operation, FullBloom worked with Tranquil Spaces and LEED-consulting firm, Organic Architect, and E.A. Bonelli Architects.

Specifically, the bakery is outfitted with an on-site, wastewater treatment plant that cleans and adjusts the pH of the plant water for reuse. FullBloom also is purchasing renewable energy certificates to help push the market towards producing more renewable energy. Materials used in the facility include rapidly renewable cork and bamboo used in floors, as well as wheat board used in the doors.

Additionally, the facility has reused 100% of existing floors, exterior walls and roof and maintained 50% of interior walls. Nearly 100% of construction waste was diverted from landfill while 25% of material sourced was manufactured within 500 miles, 15% of material was from rapidly renewable sources, 15% was recycled content and nearly 40% of furniture and furnishings were reused.

The new office space takes advantage of the available windows and views by keeping an open floor plan to reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Go to www.fullbloom.com for more information.