Community Garden Kitchen Powers Sustainability with Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Grant
Community Garden Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food insecurity in Collin County, has reached an important milestone in its sustainability efforts with the installation of a 34-kilowatt solar array and a 20 kWh battery storage system. The $118,000 project was made possible through a grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.
The new solar setup will supply around 65% of the kitchen’s total energy consumption. Meanwhile, the battery backup will ensure continued food production during severe weather or power outages, allowing the organization to stay open when the community needs it most. The resulting energy savings are equivalent to providing more than 9,350 additional meals each year—about 180 extra dinners weekly.
Founded in 2014, Community Garden Kitchen began with a vision to offer a restaurant-style dining experience where every guest is treated with dignity. In 2022, the organization opened its permanent facility in McKinney, where more than 900 volunteers serve dinner from Monday through Thursday. It remains the only Collin County establishment open in the evenings specifically to support individuals and families facing food insecurity. In the past year alone, the kitchen served over 40,000 free meals.
“We are deeply thankful for the $118,000 sustainability grant and our partnership with Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said Angela Poen, president of Community Garden Kitchen. “This investment in solar and battery technology helps us continue our mission of providing healthy meals and a welcoming space for our community.”
Andrea Ortega-Toledano, senior director of sustainability at Green Mountain Energy, added, “We’re proud to collaborate with Community Garden Kitchen to both lower their carbon footprint and enhance their ability to deliver nutritious meals to those who need them. Promoting sustainability today ensures we leave a healthier planet for future generations.”
Green Mountain Energy’s broader mission is to inspire positive environmental change through renewable energy. Since its creation in 2002, the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has contributed over $15 million toward 174 sustainability projects across Texas and the Northeast. Customers and employees alike are invited to support initiatives that champion clean energy, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship.
The new solar setup will supply around 65% of the kitchen’s total energy consumption. Meanwhile, the battery backup will ensure continued food production during severe weather or power outages, allowing the organization to stay open when the community needs it most. The resulting energy savings are equivalent to providing more than 9,350 additional meals each year—about 180 extra dinners weekly.
Founded in 2014, Community Garden Kitchen began with a vision to offer a restaurant-style dining experience where every guest is treated with dignity. In 2022, the organization opened its permanent facility in McKinney, where more than 900 volunteers serve dinner from Monday through Thursday. It remains the only Collin County establishment open in the evenings specifically to support individuals and families facing food insecurity. In the past year alone, the kitchen served over 40,000 free meals.
“We are deeply thankful for the $118,000 sustainability grant and our partnership with Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said Angela Poen, president of Community Garden Kitchen. “This investment in solar and battery technology helps us continue our mission of providing healthy meals and a welcoming space for our community.”
Andrea Ortega-Toledano, senior director of sustainability at Green Mountain Energy, added, “We’re proud to collaborate with Community Garden Kitchen to both lower their carbon footprint and enhance their ability to deliver nutritious meals to those who need them. Promoting sustainability today ensures we leave a healthier planet for future generations.”
Green Mountain Energy’s broader mission is to inspire positive environmental change through renewable energy. Since its creation in 2002, the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has contributed over $15 million toward 174 sustainability projects across Texas and the Northeast. Customers and employees alike are invited to support initiatives that champion clean energy, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship.
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