All About Onions: Sustainability, Green, Zero Waste, American Council of Engineering Companies, Food Safety, Food Industry, Food Service, Fresh Cut, Green California Leadership Awards, Innovation, Energy, Recycling, Geela, Energy Solutions Center, MC Donald's, Dirty Jobs, Onions, Farming, Food, California, Oxnard, United States, Rio Farms, Waste Not

2. History Family farming operation established in Ventura County in late 1800's Rio Farms established in 1979 Gills Onions launched in 1983 in Oxnard, California

3. Farming Grown by sister company Rio Farms Proprietary seed varieties Only highest quality U.S. number one yellow and red onions Consistent quality and supply Diverse growing regions throughout California Stable Pricing Year-round availability

7. Processing Processed from a 95,000 square foot operation Peel and process 90,000 tons annually Proprietary operating equipment Efficient, productive and environmentally sensitive In-house high tech food safety lab

8. Processing Sophisticated tracking system allowing us to follow an onion from seed all the way to the customer’s door Microbial testing for quality and safety AIB certified superior Kosher certified

11. Food SafetyProgram

12. Company Focus One focus - Onions! Time and money aving convenience Provide highest quality, US number one, yellow and red hybrid onions Strict quality control Seamless growing and processing

13. Retail Products Retail onions placed in clear square cups giving retailer most efficient use of space Cups feature peelable lid and snap resealable cover which seals in aroma and locks in freshness Washed and ready to use 100% usable No preservatives or additives

14. Products: Retail Diced Yellow Onions Diced Red Onions Sliced Red Onions Diced Celery & Onions Sweet Sliced Yellow Onions Organic Diced Yellow Onions Holiday Size Diced Celery & Onions

15. Products: Foodservice Whole Peeled Sliced Diced Slivered Rings

16. Sustainability and Innovation: Zero Waste Strategy

17. What does Sustainability mean to us? Staying business by being profitable Preserve, conserve and use our resources efficiently Take responsibility for our environmental impact Taking care of our employees and the community

18. What does Sustainability mean to us? Generating 300,000 lbs of onion waste on a daily basis Waste was becoming unmanageable and cost prohibitive Look at waste not as a liability but as a resource “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” – Plato

19. Onion Waste-to-Energy Converts onion waste to renewable energy, ultra clean biogas & cattle feed 30,000 gallons of juice and 20 tons of onion cake are produced per day.

20. Fuel Cells Help Meet Gills Waste & Energy Goals Improves energy efficiencies, reduces costs of waste disposal Satisfies 95% of Gills base load requirements Meets goals for Air Quality, Zero Waste, and Renewable Energy

21. Zero Waste Strategies for Gills Onions’ Sustainable Innovation and Waste Management What is Zero Waste? Why are businesses interested in Zero Waste? Zero Waste is good for business and the environment.

22. Methodology Establish baselines Analyze resource consumption Develop strategies to reduce, reuse, recycle

23. Resource Categories Onions Energy Material Water

24. The Climate Registry Allows us to measure our energy sources and emissions Gills Onions became one of 243 founding members in 2008 Why we Joined: Risk Management Develop a baseline from which we can document our improvements over the years Recognition/Validation as an environmental leader in our industry

26. More information: www.gillsonions.com