Florida Crystals Corporation and Carbonfund.org Announce First and Only Carbonfree(R) Organic and Natural Sugars

    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. and SILVER SPRING, Md., March 25 /PRNewswire/ --
 Florida Crystals Corporation and Carbonfund.org today announce the launch
 of Florida Crystals(R) Carbonfree(R) Organic and Natural sugars, offering
 premium sweeteners to environmentally-conscious consumers who care about
 sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
 
     Florida Crystals(R) Carbonfree(R) Organic and Natural sugar products
 are the first American sugar products certified Carbonfree(R) by
 Carbonfund.org.
 
     The certification was earned after a rigorous life cycle assessment
 (LCA) performed by Europe's premier carbon management consultants, Edinburg
 Center for Carbon Management. They determined each product's complete
 carbon footprint by assessing the primary inputs of planting and growing
 the sugar cane, through the harvesting, milling and packaging processes, to
 the product's final delivery to store shelves. The Carbonfree(R) label
 indicates each product's carbon footprint was rendered neutral through
 greenhouse gas cutting measures, specifically, through Florida Crystals'
 production of renewable energy.
 
     "Florida Crystals(R) certification is unique," said Luis Fernandez,
 Florida Crystals' Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
 "Unlike other manufacturers who rely on the purchase of carbon credits from
 third parties, we are able to provide our products' carbon neutrality
 through our own production of renewable electricity. We have a strong
 commitment to the environment and continue to invest in the expansion of
 our renewable energy program. We are proud to receive the Carbonfree(R)
 certification."
 
 

     The Carbonfree(R) product certification entails four main steps:
     -- Determine the product's carbon footprint through a life cycle
        assessment (LCA)
 
     -- Displace the product's footprint through greenhouse gas reduction
 
     -- Certify and register the product as Carbonfree(R)
 
     -- Conduct annual review and recertification
 
     Florida Crystals has been operating its renewable energy facility for a
 decade. It is the largest of its kind in North America and produces clean
 energy that powers its sugar operations and tens of thousands of homes. By
 generating renewable energy using sugar cane and wood waste instead of
 fossil fuels, Florida Crystals prevents hundreds of thousands of tons of
 CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year. Florida Crystals also reduces
 foreign oil dependence by one million barrels per year.
 
     "Carbonfree(R) certification and labeling is the next big trend in
 environmentally responsible living," Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric
 Carlson said. "Florida Crystals is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
 increasing awareness among consumers of the impact their buying decisions
 have on the planet. We're very proud to work with Florida Crystals for a
 better environment."
 
     A new study by Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) shows roughly half of
 all consumers now consider questions of sustainability in their purchasing
 decisions, with particular focus on the food and beverage industry.
 
     Florida Crystals(R) Carbonfree(R) Organic and Natural sugar products
 are marketed by Domino Foods, Inc.
 
     About Carbonfund.org
 
     Carbonfund.org is the country's leading carbon reduction and offset
 organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and
 organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable
 individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are
 responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting high-quality verified
 renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.
 Carbonfund.org works with over 600 corporate and non-profit partners
 including Discovery, Allstate, Volkswagen, Dell, Orbitz, Environmental
 Defense, and Lancome.
 
     About Florida Crystals
 
     Florida Crystals is a leading domestic sugar producer and North
 America's first fully integrated cane sugar company guiding its sugar from
 the field to the table with Florida Crystals(R) natural and organic brands.
 Florida Crystals(R) is made from pure sun-sweetened sugar cane but it's
 "less refined" than traditional sugar, so it delivers a flavor that's
 unique and absolutely delicious. To learn more about our Carbonfree(R)
 certification and our earth- friendly practices, visit us at
 www.floridacrystals.com.
 
 

     Contacts:
     Gary Black, Florida Crystals/Domino Foods, Inc.
     614-741-4488
 
     Gaston Cantens, Florida Crystals Corporation
     561-248-1953
 
     Russell Simon, Carbonfund.org
     240-334-3681
 
 

SOURCE Florida Crystals Corporation