Golden State Foods, Irvine, Calif., opened a new 158,000-square-foot Chicago distribution center that is LEED Gold Certified for environmental efficiency and sustainability, a first for Golden State Foods and McDonald’s distribution.

The distribution center was designed to be 40 percent more energy efficient than comparable buildings, says Golden State Foods. To achieve this goal, the facility features green technologies such as hydrogen-powered fork trucks, clear panel windows for natural light, LED lighting, rainwater for irrigation and a an ammonia C)2 cascade refrigeration system. An automated truck wash is equipped with an auto-recovery system to minimize water consumption, and the company also installed a SafeConnect electric standby connection system, which provides electric standby power for outbound trailers.

The distribution center will serve more than 460 McDonald’s restaurants in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana markets. Golden State Foods is a global quick-service restaurant supplier that services more than 125,000 stores worldwide.

Mark Wetterau, CEO of Golden State Foods, called the new building "a milestone in our larger goals toward environmental sustainability and excellent customer service.”