LOS ANGELES, CA - The Wonderful Company has received the 2016 Corporate Citizenship Award in the category of Best Community Improvement Program, recognizing its development efforts in the town of Lost Hills, CA, where more than 50 percent of households work at the Wonderful Pistachios plant.
“All of us at The Wonderful Company are honored to be recognized by the Chamber with their prestigious Citizens Award,” said Lynda Resnick, Vice Chair and Co-Owner of The Wonderful Company. “As a leading employer across California’s Central Valley, we are committed to giving back in the places where our employees live and work, and nowhere does that promise ring truer than in Lost Hills, where we’ve dedicated our time and resources to revitalizing the community and giving its residents life-changing opportunities and a renewed spirit of hometown pride."
The award, bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, honors businesses for their significant positive impacts in communities. And, having clocked in with an investment to date exceeding $15 million, Wonderful fits the bill.
With its investments, Wonderful has completed extensive community infrastructure, including:
- Paved roads
- Installation of sidewalks, bus shelters, storm drains and streetlights
- Revitalized the community park with two community centers, two soccer fields, a volleyball court, basketball court, playgrounds
Along with a broad range of community activities and events, the company has also helped build affordable housing, finance and build the town’s first sit-down restaurant, and recently received approval from the Kern County Board of Education to open a charter school in the community next fall.
“The Wonderful Company is a true community partner to the people of Lost Hills,” said Marc DeCourcey, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center. “Their strategic and sustainable investments in Lost Hills will positively impact the community for years to come.”
This awards program, in its 17th year, has illustrated how businesses can serve as a powerful source for good. The Chamber Foundation announced the winners of the 2016 Citizens Awards on November 17 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the awards program here, and visit here to discover more about The Wonderful Company’s work in Lost Hills.
For more on the good deeds of the fresh produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
