For information contact: Elenor Hodges, (703) 228-6427

Arlington, VA, March 17, 2000-In addition to stocking up on tofu and organic produce, shoppers at the Fresh Fields in Arlington on Wednesday, March 22 will also be able to help the environment. On that day, Fresh Fields will donate 5% of all proceeds to Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE), a community-based environmental organization.

"Fresh Fields does 5% days because we have made a commitment as a national company to give 5% of our income to charities and local nonprofit organizations,"

The March promotion was organized specifically to honor the 30th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. Fresh Fields hopes that the event will help bring attention to environmental issues and get community members involved in local conservation activities.

ACE is using the funds to support its schoolyard education project, working with elementary schools to develop and facilitate greater educational use of their schoolyards. By helping schools create and use outdoor learning labs, ACE hopes to increase opportunities for students to learn about nature and the environment.

Volunteers will be on hand at the store on March 22 with an educational activity for kids that illustrates the importance of protecting our water quality. There will also be literature about ACE and upcoming volunteer opportunities available.