Veggie Rescue: Mobile Solar Cooler Success Story

Preloader

  • Launched Prototype #1

    Veggie Rescue activated their first prototype for a mobile solar cooler to serve the Pilgrim Terrace Senior Community and refrigerate their CSA tower garden and community garden veggies.

  • Activated to Support COVID-19 Efforts

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mobile solar cooler moved to Los Alamos to support the Los Alamos Foundation’s weekly food distribution program, serving approximately 100 families per week.

  • Received Food System Resilience Grant

    Veggie Rescue was awarded $25,000 by SBCFAN’s Food System Resilience Grant program to build a second mobile solar refrigeration unit and launch field trials in various locations throughout Santa Barbara County.

  • Started Build of Prototype #2

    The design was refined to increase the reliability of refrigeration and to create a template for future units. This second iteration is built on a 12-foot trailer and powered by the sun. A plug-in option was added so that the unit could be recharged on cloudy days.

  • Launched Prototype #2

    Having more refrigeration capacity enables Veggie Rescue to increase access to healthy foods, reduce more food waste, and raise awareness about renewable energy.

Future Plans for Activation: Creating a replicable model

By piloting these prototypes, Veggie Rescue hopes to be able to further refine the design and build process to create an efficient and effective mobile solar cooler template that can be replicated to serve Santa Barbara County – and beyond.

KEY METRICS

over0pounds
of food delivered
0units
5cities
served

Activating Food Action Plan goals

4
11
13
15
Back To Top