Rainwater
harvesting pergolas erected at Urban Farming(TM) community gardens
throughout Detroit
Photo
credit: www.tellusdetroit.com
The rain
barrel will capture rainwater from the roof of the pergolas,
store and filter the water into the pump. The solar pump is
connected to a drip irrigation system which when activated
will water the plant life in the garden.
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DETROIT
-- On Wednesday, April 20, 2011, Coca-Cola Refreshments
in conjunction with Urban Farming™ - a global, non-profit
headquartered in Detroit - and with support from Home Depot, will
celebrate Earth Week by launching a rainwater harvesting project.
This project uses repurposed Coca-Cola syrup
barrels to create a sustainable water supply for vegetation in the
Urban Farming™ gardens; thus providing free, fresh produce
to the community. The "green partners" will host a groundbreaking
event at an Urban Farming™ garden site located at 11015 East
Jefferson Avenue at 11:00 a.m.
Urban Farming™
has identified nine garden locations throughout the city of Detroit.
Garden structures or "pergolas" constructed within each
garden are equipped with a rain barrel, solar panel and pump system.
The rain barrel will capture rainwater from the roof of the pergolas,
store and filter the water into the pump. The solar pump is connected
to a drip irrigation system which when activated will water the
plant life in the garden.
"Coca-Cola is committed
water stewardship in communities where we operate," said Percy
Wells, region vice president, public affairs & communications,
Coca-Cola Refreshments. "Our goal is to safely return to nature
and communities an amount of water equivalent to what we use in
all of our beverages and their production."
Home Depot is donating
the labor and materials for the project. They will also construct
the pergolas and provide decorative planting benches adjacent to
the gardens.
"This Earth Day
project highlights the need to learn about the new green technologies
that are necessary to preserve our planet and expose our community
members to green businesses and green collar job opportunities in
the emerging Green Economy," said Taja Sevelle, founder and
executive director of Urban Farming™.
Rick Mahorn, former Detroit
Pistons player and sports announcer, accompanied by Detroit Pistons
mascot "Hooper" and dance team, "Automotion,"
will join the "green partners" to celebrate Earth Day.
A highlight of the event includes remarks by Dr. Garth Graham, White
House Fellow and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health
at the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, Jimmy
Locust, a famed choreographer and dancer will perform.
About The Coca-Cola
Company
The Coca-Cola Company
(NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers
with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The Company's portfolio
includes 14 billion dollar brands, including Coca-Cola, recognized
as the world's most valuable brand, as well as Diet Coke, Fanta,
Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply
and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages,
juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through
the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more
than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.6
billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building
sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that
protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic
development of the communities where we operate. For more information
about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
About Urban Farming™
Urban Farming™
is a global non-profit organization headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.
The organization plants food on unused land and space and gives
it to people in need. Founded in 2004 by Taja Sevelle, the group
began planting in 2005 with a pamphlet and three gardens. To date,
Urban Farming™ and its partners have planted and facilitated
over 24,000 community and residential gardens across the country
and abroad; 1,200 of them in Detroit and surrounding areas. One
of the hallmarks of Urban Farming™ is that the food is free
for anyone in need. Another distinguishing factor is the organization's
unique coexistence model, which fosters coexistence between urban
agriculture, urban redevelopment, business growth, job creation,
global investment and health and wellness. The goal is to provide
the fish and the fishing pole simultaneously, while connecting people
to higher paying green businesses and green collar job opportunities.
