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History<br />Family farming operation established in Ventura County in late 1800's<br />Rio Farms established in 1979<br />Gills Onions launched in 1983 in Oxnard, California<br />

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

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

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

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Food SafetyProgram<br />

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

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

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Products: Retail<br />Diced Yellow Onions<br />Diced Red Onions<br />Sliced Red Onions<br />Diced Celery & Onions<br />Sweet Sliced Yellow Onions<br />Organic Diced Yellow Onions<br />Holiday Size Diced Celery & Onions<br />

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Products: Foodservice <br />Whole Peeled<br />Sliced<br />Diced<br />Slivered<br />Rings<br />

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Sustainability and Innovation: Zero Waste Strategy<br />

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

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

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

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

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

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Methodology<br />Establish baselines<br />Analyze resource consumption<br />Develop strategies to reduce, reuse, recycle<br />

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Resource Categories<br />Onions Energy Material Water<br />

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

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More information: www.gillsonions.com<br />