BAKERSFIELD, CA —With gloves on and garbage bags in-hand more than 200 Grimmway Farms employee volunteers and their families gathered on Saturday morning to pick up trash and remove large waste, dumped furniture and debris in Lamont, CA. Split into 11 groups, volunteers canvased the parks, roads and walkways throughout the city, including a stretch of Highway 184.
For the 5th community cleanup event, Grimmway returned to Lamont which was the location of their inaugural community cleanup in 2013. “We wanted to show the folks in this area that we want to be good stewards to the place we call home as a company,” said Dana Brennan, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs at Grimmway Farms. “Part of that is showing them that we care what the community looks like and we want to be a part of making them feel proud of where they live.”
Volunteers filled two dumpsters with trash and one flatbed truck with tires, mattresses and electronics. Lamont residents walked down their driveways and rolled down their car windows to thank the groups of volunteers involved in the cleanup effort.
“I was born and raised in this area and I go to work here every day,” said Jeff Huckaby, President of Grimmway Farms. “The annual cleanup event is important to me because it allows us to give back to the community as a team. It also helps us set a great example for our kids on how to care for the environment, a concept focal to our business.”
Representatives from Kern County Public Works partnered with the Grimmway Farms Safety team to make sure trash was disposed of correctly and volunteers took the precautions needed to ensure safety as they walked across the city. Public Works also provided dumpsters and waivers to dispose large items at the Bena Landfill.
“Kern County Public Works was instrumental in making this year’s cleanup a success,” said Mandy Harris, Executive Assistant at Grimmway Farms and head of the planning committee for the annual cleanup event. “We are so thankful for the support Michelle Burns-Lusich and her team provided our volunteers.”
The Grimmway leadership team, employees and their families celebrated the day of service and bonded over lunch provided by the company at Bear Mountain Park. More than 50 children participated and enjoyed face painting, craft stations and bounce houses as a fun reward earned by their hard work. Leftover food was donated to shelters in Bakersfield.
Kern County residents and visitors can report illegal dumping within the road right-of-way to the Public Works Department by calling (661) 862-8891.
About Grimmway Farms
Family-owned and headquartered in Bakersfield, California, Grimmway Farms traces its roots to a produce stand opened by the Grimm brothers in the early 1960s. Grimmway is a global produce leader and the world’s largest producer of carrots. Grimmway supplies more than 65 organic, USA-grown crops and brands include Cal-Organic Farms and Bunny-Luv. Grimmway is committed to caring for customers and employees, honoring sustainable practices and preserving natural resources for future generations. For more information, visit www.grimmway.com.
Source: Grimmway Farms
