A popular Derbyshire farm shop, Croots is continuing its journey to becoming more environmentally friendly thanks to a grant from the DE-Carbonise Project, a part-funded programme supported by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership which helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Derby and Derbyshire to increase their sustainability.
Thanks to a £12,000 grant (covering 40% of the costs) the farm shop has replaced six open display fridges – some of which were originally installed when Croots opened in 2008 – with one open display cabinet fridge and three doored fridges that use the latest technology and are much more environmentally friendly.
The four new modern fridges will save an estimated 6.8 tonnes of carbon emissions per year – using less energy to operate, reducing the heat that’s emitted into the shop, and cutting the amount of air conditioning that’s needed in the store. They will also help Croots Farm Shop reduce its energy bills in the future.
The fridges are the latest in a string of initiatives introduced by the farm shop to reduce its impact on the environment. The measures have earned Croots a place as a finalist in the Environmental Heroes category of the DerbyshireLive Heroes Awards 2020.
Kay Croot, who runs the farm shop at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, with husband Steve, said: “We pledged to make 2020 our most environmentally friendly year ever and as we start 2021, we’re firmly committed to continuing this journey to do what we can to reduce our impact on the environment.
“These new fridges use less energy and will help us to reduce our carbon emissions. They are also quieter, creating a more pleasant environment in the shop. We’re grateful to the DE-Carbonise project for supporting us as we look at all areas of the business to see how best we can become more sustainable.”
