14th August, 2007: Fairfield-Based Bigelow Tea Welcomes Governor Rell to its New Solar Installation-The State’s Second Largest
Movement from green tea to green power
FAIRFIELD, Conn., August 14, 2007 – Bigelow Tea (http://bigelowtea.com), the family-run tea company based in Fairfield, Connecticut, welcomed Governor Jodi Rell to the site of their new solar installation as she introduced the most comprehensive energy efficiency bill in Connecticut’s history. Living up to the “Do One Thing” program’s call for conserving energy, Bigelow’s solar installation is the state’s second largest, and it will provide 10% - 20% of the facility’s power demand each year.
This movement toward green energy features 880 solar modules on the building’s roof and was a project of particular importance to Mr. Bigelow, co-chairperson of the Bigelow Tea board, since its inception. The incorporation of alternative energy sources - solar panels - reduces energy costs associated with lighting and running the facility while benefiting the environment. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) helped support this $1.5 million initiative by assisting with funding.
“Bigelow Tea is proud to welcome such a notable alternative energy initiative,” said Cindi Bigelow, co-President. “Just as Governor Rell is calling upon businesses and individuals within the state to do their part, Bigelow Tea feels passionate about taking an active step toward greening Connecticut and helping protect Planet Earth.”
The roof’s solar panels will eliminate approximately five million pounds of carbon dioxide every year, equivalent to planting 33 acres of trees.
About Bigelow Tea Company
Bigelow Tea was founded by Ruth Campbell Bigelow over 60 years ago in 1945. The company continues to be 100% family owned and managed by the Bigelow family with a special blend of pride and enthusiasm. Today the company is one of the nation’s leading producers of specialty teas, which includes more than 80 varieties of flavored, traditional, green, organic green, herbal, decaffeinated, and iced teas. One of Bigelow Tea’s most well-known products is America’s number one specialty tea flavor “Constant Comment®” which is flavored with a delicious blend of oranges and spice. It is available in both black and green tea versions.
Bigelow Tea products are available nationwide including mass merchandisers and health stores, and every variety can be found on the company website (www.bigelowtea.com), along with an appealing selection of tea chests, tea accessories and other gift items. Tea lovers will also enjoy the company’s blog (http://www.bigelowteablog.com).
PRESS CONTACT INFO:
Elizabeth April-Fritz
Bigelow Tea
203-334-1212
eafritz@rcbigelow.com
Valorie Luther
Creative Concepts
203.259.4202
vluther@creative-conceptsllc.com
Posted by Valorie at 8:35 pm | Comment (0)
14th August, 2007: Bigelow Tea Celebrity Watch
The Yankees are charging hard having swept Cleveland this weekend and are now four games behind Boston and are tied for the Wild Card position. Not only does Joe Torre have the Yankees playing really well but there are a lot of great teams competing for the few playoff spots that will lead to the World Series.
The other great sports story was Tiger Woods winning his 13th major championship by winning the PGA Championship by two strokes. He too seemed to be in control and focused all weekend just like Joe Torre. Gee I wonder if Tiger Woods also drinks Bigelow Green Tea like Joe.
Here’s an idea for all of our blogger friends. Let us know if you’re aware of any sports stars or other celebrities who are drinkers of Bigelow Tea. We know Joe Torre, Phil and Chris Simms are and I bet there are hundreds more out there. I heard last weekend that many on Wall Street and the financial community are switching to green tea from coffee. I’ve got a feeling that this trend may be spreading like wildfire.
Posted by Bob at 6:05 am | Comment (0)
13th August, 2007: Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth on downtime from Instyle Magazine: “I like that Sunday-morning feeling, where you get up late and have nothing to do. I drink green tea, read the papers. I love that insular, cozy feeling.”
George Pimentel/WireImage
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
10th August, 2007: How Russia Was Introduced to Tea – Part 1
Here is a bit of Russian Tea History (stay tuned for more):
Sometime in the mid-1600s, the Mogual emperor of north India had a guest. The guest was a Russian ambassador from his royal counterpart, the head and founder of the Russian Romanov dynasty, Czar Michael Romanov. During the visit the emperor introduced the ambassador to the delicious tea that was popular in India (now Pakistan, Afghanistan, and nearby regions). The emperor offered to send a quantity to the Czar as a gift, but the ambassador declined on the Czar’s behalf, thinking the Czar would have no use for it.
Many years passed until finally, in 1689, Russia in the most natural way − through trade-became business partners with China when they established a boundary between their countries. The treaty defining it made it clear that all trade between the two nations would occur at a single spot in the open spaces of the Gobi. The chosen location, Usk Kayakhta, was one thousand miles from Beijing and more than four thousand miles from St. Petersburg.
Originally Russian caravans arrived at nearby outposts to trade furs for Chinese cotton and silk, but over time they began to buy tea more than anything. It’s been estimated that Russians were receiving over 600 pounds of tea per camel and over 600 camel loads every year by 1735. That’s 360,000 pounds of tea!
Who was drinking all of that dark, delicious expensive brew?
Posted by Elizabeth at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
8th August, 2007: Governor Rell Signs Energy Efficiency Bill at Bigelow Tea Headquarters
Governor Rell signs new Energy Efficiency Bill
“DO ONE THING,” that is the new program Governor Rell announced today as she came to Bigelow Tea to sign the most comprehensive energy efficiency bill in the history of Connecticut. If we all do “one thing” every day to conserve energy, we will make a huge difference long term for our state and our planet: turn off the lights earlier, unplug your cell phone charger, run your dishwasher as late at night as possible…all simple options we can do to make a difference.
The Governor came to Bigelow Tea for the bill signing as we had just installed almost 900 solar panels on our roof-enough to generate up to 20% of our energy requirements in a much more environmentally friendly manner. Part of the bill that Governor Rell signed into law encouraged a 10% reduction in electricity requirements from Connecticut businesses…and I am so excited to say we did our part! But it doesn’t stop there, yes we installed solar panels, but we are committed to doing even more.
We need to all do our part and “do one thing” every day to help make our planet a better place. Yes, it was a super day here at Bigelow Tea!
Bigelow Tea headquarters rooftop ribbon cutting with Bigelow family and staff. Our new solar panels are in the background.
Posted by Cindi at 9:39 am | Comment (0)
8th August, 2007: Tea Recipes keep you Cool
Check out the links below for some delicious recipes from our website archives:
Posted by Sabine at 7:01 am | Comment (1)
7th August, 2007: The Greening of Connecticut
Very exciting, our Governor, Jodi Rell, is coming here this week to sign an environmental bill on our rooftop, standing by our newly installed solar panels. We worked very closely with the state of Connecticut to pull this project together, and Governor Rell, who has been really trying to drive for a more environmentally friendly state, is coming here to show her support for our work as well as to help promote this new bill.
The bill is extremely extensive. It includes things like expanding the “green building” requirements for state facilities and new school projects, it authorizes $30 million in bonding for energy efficiency in state buildings, it extends and expands the sales tax exemptions for energy efficiency and the bill even provides grants to people who replace their furnaces with more efficient models.
Governor Rell clearly sees the need to push for a “greening” of our state and Bigelow is proud to be a part in helping achieve that goal. The solar panels we installed on our roof will eliminate approximately 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide every year. That equates to reducing cars on the road by 5 1/2 million miles of driving a year or is like planting 33 acres of trees….I like to think of it as Bigelow Tea just got a little greener.
We are proud of our part in helping to protect our planet earth. We will keep you posted as we continue along in our quest.
Time to go, but it is too warm for a hot cup of Bigelow Tea, I think I am going to make green tea with mango and then put it over ICE!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:05 am | Comment (1)
6th August, 2007: Wild Card Race Excitement
The race is on now! Regardless of who your favorite baseball team is, you have to love this time of year! It’s jumping back and forth as to who is leading the division and who is ahead in the Wild Card race. I am feeling particularly bullish right now because Joe Torre, green tea drinker, has the Yankees firing on all cylinders…they are only half a game back in the Wild Card race and it’s only August.
Last night I really enjoyed watching Tom Glavine, a pitcher for the Mets, win his 300th career victory. That was a wonderful accomplishment acheived with grace and dignity.
Just think, football season is just around the corner and that combined with an exciting baseball season means there’s a little something for everyone to watch and enjoy!
Bob
Posted by Valorie at 1:35 pm | Comment (0)
6th August, 2007: Bigelow Tea Plantation Featured on TODAY Show’s Website
Bigelow Tea’s Charleston Tea Plantation was featured by Peter Greenberg, TODAY Travel Detective. The Plantation was noted among other important landmarks in Charleston. In his piece of July 25, 2007, Touring the history, old charm of Charleston, Greenberg remarks that the 127-acre plantation, containing hundreds of thousands of tea bushes, is the only if its kind operational in the country. Tours are available Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. For more information go to the Charleston Tea Plantation category here or on our website, www.bigelowtea.com.
Make Charleston a destination this summer and learn more about tea and its history.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
3rd August, 2007: Bigelow Inspection Results
We had an OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, inspector show up for a “normal” inspection the other day. In fact the inspector spent ½ day on Friday and then came back on Tuesday for 1/2 day to finish up. Outside inspections are a great way to have your processes reviewed and to make improvements on them but when you have an OSHA inspector show up for a “normal” inspection you take a deep breath. It is kind of like when you glance up in your rear view mirror and there is a police car following you. You double check your speed, make sure your hands are at 10 and 2 but until they stop following you there is that question in your mind, am I doing something wrong.
Over the two visits we reviewed our safety policies, procedures on forklifts, walked the production floor looking at our machine guarding and interviewed several employees. The machine guarding is usually the toughest area to work on because you want the machine to be able to operate but you need to make sure employees cannot get injured as they use the equipment.
On Friday a couple of guarding issues were identified but by Tuesday when the inspector came back they had been fixed. I was very pleased with the inspection results and our operation is just that much better because of it.
Dean
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
