<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:130%"> Charlotte, NC</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">4.22.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Chiquita Brands International has announced that it will take a hands on approach to celebrating Earth Day this year, with company employees volunteering in local community gardens and schools. The company has also highlighted its commitment to the environment and stresses that every day is Earth Day. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/chiquita_loving_planet.jpg" alt="Images 041913" /></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>"Chiquita is and has been committed to improving the communities in which our employees work and live," said Ed Lonergan, Chiquita's president and chief executive officer. "Activities like these reflect our strong belief that we are in this world to make it better by improving lives, loving our planet and leading our industry."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"Chiquita began this journey more than 20 years ago and ever since has expanded our CSR and sustainability programs to cover not only our Latin American operations but also our operations in North America and Europe," said Manuel Rodriguez, senior vice president of government affairs and chief corporate social responsibility officer for Chiquita. "We are convinced that doing the right thing is not only good business, but the only way to assure a successful and sustainable business."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A testament to its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, Chiquita has been awarded a LEED Gold rating, established by the United States Green Building Council. Over 48% of the materials used to update the facility were manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the building, reducing emissions and support local economies.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A new initiative in Costa Rica, Sixaola Reforestation Project, was recently launched with the goal of establishing a model of mixed forestry, both commercial and conservation, linked to the banana farms that will create economic, ecological and social value. Close to 5,000 trees have already been planted in the border area between Costa Rica and Panama and it is expected that within 24 months the project will cover nearly 250 hectares. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.chiquita.com/Home.aspx"target="_new">Chiquita</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
