Canadian retailer Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is signaling a huge commitment to local growers, pledging to spend $150 million more each year by 2025, buying local produce and curtailing imports when possible.
In a June 27 news release, the retail giant acknowledged that Canadians depend on fruits and vegetables grown in other countries because of the short growing season in Canada. The company will work more closely with Canadian growers to “implement innovative growing methods or plant non-traditional crops, extending the growing season and bringing the ‘Grown in Canada’ label to more items in the traditional off season.
“For decades, we have worked with local farmers to feed our national appetite for Canadian-grown food,” Galen Weston, chairman and CEO of Loblaws, said in the release. “We are applying new resources to accelerate that work, helping Canadian farmers find new opportunities to provide new opportunities to provide global products and year-round freshness, grown right here at home.”
The company has a network about 300 growers throughout Canada, according to the release, and about half of the produce stocked by the stores is grown in Canada.
The company packs President’s Choice brand with greenhouse items and has introduced a pilot program with a vertical farm operation, according to the release.
