While Ontario’s greenhouse industry is primarily known for cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers, some growers are branching out.
Ray Wowryk, director of business development with Nature Fresh Farms Sales Inc. BB #:274537 in Leamington, ON, said Nature Fresh offers sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, along with gourmet and snacking tomatoes. While the company’s focus remains on these core commodities, new products may be added down the road.
“We have future plans to expand the category to berries, lettuce, and melons,” Wowryk said. “At this time, our growers continue to research and trial, with anticipation of moving forward with these items as we continue to expand our farms in Leamington as well as Delta, OH.”
Chris Veillon, chief marketing officer for Pure Hothouse Foods Inc. BB #:170379 in Leamington, ON, said the company grows and markets an extensive variety of greenhouse vegetables including long English cucumbers; mini cucumbers and sweet peppers; heirloom, cocktail, and snacking tomatoes; and organic selections too.
“We’re constantly looking for new flavors, varieties, and product types,” he said. “The tomato category has grown by leaps and bounds with the emergence of new varieties and more brands flooding the market space. Tomatoes continue to be a focal point in produce aisles due to versatility and general appeal, and consumption has increased over the last decade due to their year-round availability.”
While Del Fresco Produce Ltd. BB #:194101 has always grown a variety of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, Carl Mastronardi, president and CEO, is most excited about strawberries.
“We plant our strawberries in August and pick them from October until July,” he says, and is proud of the berry program’s success.
“We have all but one Canadian retailer buying them, and the taste is excellent. Like our slogan says, they taste like summer all year long—and they do.”
Now in its third year of greenhouse strawberry production, Del Fresco Produce is already growing up to 17 acres of the sweet red fruit. The grower also offers greenhouse-grown beans as a specialty product.
“We’re going to be doing these as a seasonal program, from March until June,” Mastronardi said. “They’re long, flat beans, and they taste really sweet.”
Though the beans are only being offered to a few chains in the region, he notes, “Supermarkets are always interested in fresh, different items like this.”
Additionally, Del Fresco will soon be offering greenhouse-grown microgreens. “Microgreens are an emerging market,” Mastronardi said. “We’re going to start out with basil, cilantro, and radish microgreens.”
