UNH Sustainability Fellowship: Pete and Gerry’s Organics, LLC Creating Scalable Energy Solutions in the CPG Industry
Pete and Gerry’s Organics, LLC
Creating Scalable Energy Solutions in the CPG Industry
Monroe, NH
Hybrid
About the Host Organization:
Pete and Gerry’s is a leading national supplier in the premium egg industry and takes pride in being a “category captain,” blazing the trail for other egg companies when it comes to sustainability, animal welfare, innovation, and much more. Pete and Gerry’s partners with nearly 200 small family farms across 15 different states and has production facilities in 4 states, creating a turnkey and sustainable model for supplying eggs across the country.
About the Fellowship:
At Pete and Gerry’s, we’re committed to putting the betterment of people and the planet at the forefront of our business, but we’re not perfect and there is always an opportunity to continue learning and improving. That’s why we’re eager to partner with a UNH Fellow to address two key areas where we feel there is huge potential for reducing our energy consumption and exploring alternative energy solutions. Those two areas being our processing operations and partner farms, respectively.
Throughout the summer, the Fellow will have an opportunity to collaborate with team members from various departments within Pete and Gerry’s Monroe, NH Processing Facility, to understand which aspects are consuming the most energy and work to identify key focuses for a reduction plan. The Fellow will also be introduced to two of our New England-based Pete and Gerry’s farms, one that’s entirely powered by solar and the other that is on the electrical grid. Each of these farms (and their farmers) will aid as resources and models for the Fellow as they develop a guide that can be utilized by other Pete and Gerry’s farmers as they consider alternative energy opportunities for their own farms.
Outcomes:
There are two primary outcomes the Fellow will be developing throughout their time working with Pete and Gerry’s. One, is a guide for reducing energy consumption at all of our processing facilities and the other, a “how-to” resource for partner farms who are considering investing in alternative energy solutions for their farms.
Both outcomes should include a summary of research findings (including visuals where most impactful), a concise explanation of the significance of those findings, and a quantified estimate of the potential energy reduction and return on investment that can be expected if the proposed solutions are adopted.
Impact:
- The Fellow will gain experience researching and developing scalable energy solutions for a business
- The Fellow will get to work in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)industry as a “sustainability consultant”
- The Fellow will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the processes required to install an alternative energy system, at various state and county levels—delving into regulations, permitting, green incentives, and more
- The Fellow will serve as a catalyst for creating opportunity and expanded access to resources for Pete and Gerry’s numerous partner farms, and their families
Desired Qualifications:
- Prior experience evaluating and addressing sustainability issues through a systemic lens—specifically, as it relates to conserving energy and/or green energy
- General awareness of types of alternative energy sources and where they are best suited
- First-hand experience working on alternative energy projects, a plus
- Basic knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in getting food from farm-to-table—specifically as it relates to cooperative models and/or eggs
Location:
Pete and Gerry’s Organics, LLC
140 Buffum Road
Monroe, NH 03771
Work will be performed onsite & online, in a hybrid-style.
Mentors:
Akaylah Glidden, Sales and Marketing Coordinator