Bullfrog Power and Hope Blooms launch community greenhouse solar project

Bullfrog Power and Hope Blooms launch community greenhouse solar project

Wednesday November 4, 2015

Halifax—Today, Bullfrog Power®, Canada’s leading green energy provider, and Hope Blooms, a social enterprise empowering youth, are launching an innovative community greenhouse solar project. Through the generous support of Bullfrog Power’s customers, the company has been able to provide a grant, enabling Hope Blooms to construct a solar array and battery backup that will allow its greenhouse to run independent of the grid.

“For Bullfrog Power, community-based renewable energy projects like Hope Blooms demonstrate how renewable energy can empower us to create a brighter future,” said Holly Bond, Vice President, Regional Sales, Bullfrog Power. “Thanks to bullfrogpowered individuals and businesses across Canada, we are able to help make community power projects like this one a reality.”

Hope Blooms was born out of a vision for creating healthier, more resilient communities by empowering at-risk youth through education on nutrition, leadership, community development and entrepreneurship. The Youth of Hope Blooms operate a 4,000 square foot community garden in the North End of Halifax, growing over 2,000 lbs of fresh produce each year. The community garden features a state of the art, youth-designed greenhouse, built through the support of Arlene Dickinson (Dragon’s Den), Fowler, Bauld and Mitchell Architects and Build Right Nova Scotia, which allows for year round production. Yields from the garden and greenhouse are used to produce and salad dressing sold through local farmers markets, with the proceeds supporting educational programs and scholarships.

Through Bullfrog Power’s support, the greenhouse will now be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy via a 3.1 kilowatt solar array and battery backup system.

“Hope Blooms is proud to be a champion of sustainable, urban agriculture. The location of the Hope Blooms greenhouse meant that we had to decide between connecting to the city grid or finding a way to run independent of the grid—solar power was the answer,” said Jessie Jollymore, Executive Director, Hope Blooms. “Through a partnership with Bullfrog Power, our new solar array has been constructed and, alongside a battery system, it will be able to provide 100 per cent of the greenhouse’s energy requirements and serve as a model for other communities to learn from.”

Bullfrog Power has supported over 60 community-based renewable energy projects across Canada, including projects with Montana First Nation in Alberta and Sustainability Brant Community Energy Co-op in Ontario. For a listing of the community renewable projects Bullfrog Power has supported, see bullfrogpower.com/projects.

About Bullfrog Power
Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable individuals and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Thousands of individuals and businesses in Canada are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by choosing green energy with Bullfrog Power. Sign up easily, quickly and affordably at bullfrogpower.com.

Join the bullfrogpowered community online on Facebook (facebook.com/BullfrogPower), Instagram (@bullfrogpower) and Twitter (@bullfrogpower).

About Hope Blooms
Hope Blooms engages at-risk youth in marginalized communities and the community at large as the central change agents in building positive environments that foster personal empowerment and community growth. Located in Halifax’s inner city – a neighborhood stigmatized by poverty, mental illness, drugs and violence – Hope Blooms has provided a safe space for the past 6 years where youth grow their own food, produce and market their own brand of salad dressing, build relationships with community, and take control of their futures. What began with 9 youth and a small plot of land has grown to involve over 40 youth, 27 families and an urban farm that produces over 2,000 lbs of vegetables each year for the community.

Contact Bullfrog Power
Jon McKay
Public Relations Manager
416.360.3464 ext 239
jon.mckay@bullfrogpower.com

Contact Hope Blooms
Jessie Jollymore
Executive Director
902.225.9729
jessiejollymore@gmail.com