Dole Fresh Vegetables Company, a division of Dole Food Company, Inc. announced today that it has converted all of its harvesting equipment in Salinas, California and in Yuma, Arizona over to B20 biodiesel fuel.
Biodiesel is a domestic renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Biodiesel is the first and only alternative fuel to have a complete evaluation of emission results and potential health effects submitted under the Clean Air Act.
EPA has determined that B20 biodiesel has 20% less unburned hydrocarbons than conventional diesel as well as less carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
However, biodiesel, like ethanol, is coming under increasing scrutiny by environmentalist and policy makers, who say the fuels present an indirect threat to the environment and food supplies as more and more forest and agricultural lands are being use for the production of fuel crops, such as palm, sugar cane and corn.
Dole has been testing B20 biodiesel since August in farm equipment and off road vehicles and the switch is the result of the company’s interest in reducing its emissions and becoming better stewards of the environment, according to the company’s senior vice president of agricultural operations, Kevin Fiori.
Fiori also stated that "those of us in agriculture, who depend on the environment, land, water, and air quality to grow foods, are keenly aware of the importance of applying sustainable agricultural practices."
Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2006 revenues of $6.2 billion, is the world’s largest producer and marketer of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers.
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