Ontario's greenhouse growers predict a bright future

The Ontario greenhouse industry is full of bright ideas when it comes to expanding production, augmenting flavor and offering variety to meet consumer demand. And as a growing number of greenhouses embrace lit facilities that extend the season for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries grown indoors, the industry has steadily increased access to fresh produce for consumers and retailers alike.

As a grocer with a long and storied history in produce, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets — a chain of 36 southern Ontario-based supermarkets — works with the region’s greenhouse growers to provide its customers with a continuous supply of fresh produce.

“We are fortunate that, in Ontario, there is a huge presence of greenhouse growers that allows us to consistently have some sort of year-round local produce offering for our guests,” said Mimmo Franzone, who works in produce, floral and merchandising services for Longo’s. “Over the years, our partners have invested their time and energy in extending seasons, which in turn increases the availability of fresh local produce to our produce departments.”

A well-lit future

At Nature Fresh Farms, year-round cultivation of additional commodities is the goal.  Nature Fresh is a grower and marketer of greenhouse-grown strawberries, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers in Leamington, Ontario,

“As we move forward, we are continuing to invest in our lit crop technology to allow for an extended growing season for more of our items,” said Matt Quiring, director of sales for Nature Fresh Farms, who points to increased stock-keeping unit bases of cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as the growth opportunities in greenhouse-grown peppers, strawberries and other berries. “Technology for growing is advancing every year and we do our best to stay at the forefront of that. I am sure we will see more commodities being trialed in greenhouses, and seasons will continue to expand until they are fully year-round, as well.”

Mucci Farms is also focused on lit technology. The vertically integrated greenhouse grower, headquartered in Kingsville, Ontario, grows multiple varieties of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries and a wide assortment of organics and specialties.

“We have a strong emphasis on maximizing local production through heavy investments in lit culture supplemental lighting,” said Dan Branson, senior director of product and business development. “With the largest acreage of grow lights in the Canadian [controlled environment agriculture] industry, we are committed to advancing the industry through various investments in automation and technology to maximize efficiency.”

Organically grown

In addition to the growth in lit greenhouses, Ontario is also home to increasing acreage in organic indoor farms. Pure Hothouse Foods, an Ontario-based greenhouse grower of Pure Flavor-branded tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and baby eggplant, has its eye on both.

“We need to continue to remove the seasonality of items by investing in technology to grow year-round,” said Chris Veillon, chief marketing officer for Pure Flavor. “We are investing in significant expansion, having tripled the acreage at our home farm in Leamington in the space of 18 months. With that expansion comes the integration of supplemental lighting to be able to grow year-round, which is increasing the volume of product and its general availability.”

Pure Flavor’s organic portfolio includes a variety of tomatoes — on-the-vine, beefsteak, grape tomatoes and heirlooms — as well as its new organic cocktail and Roma tomatoes. The company also grows several varieties of organic peppers and cucumbers.

“We continue to see significant growth in the demand for greenhouse-grown organic vegetables,” Veillon said.

Weathering the inflationary storm

While greenhouse growing minimizes the impact of inclement weather as compared to field growing, no sector of the produce industry is immune to supply chain issues nor inflationary pressures. In some cases, says Joe Sbrocchi, executive director and general manager of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, the cost of building a greenhouse today is 70% higher per square meter than it was just four years ago.

Continue reading: Why Ontario’s greenhouse growers will emerge ‘stronger’ from the pandemic, supply chain issues

Longo’s, owned by Sobeys Inc.’s parent Empire Company, seeks to offer produce at a price point that still entices shoppers to eat healthfully every day.

“We haven't been impacted as much over the last two years when it comes to shortages of product, but what has been causing some issues as of late is the increase cost of logistics,” said Franzone. “It's impacting the cost of goods and, in return, our guests are seeing that at retail. As we continue to try and add value, we have been cautious with our retails as our goals are to increase consumption and promote healthy and happier lives.”

What role can greenhouse-grown fruits and vegetables play in helping to meet consumer demand and fuel the future of produce?

“I believe [greenhouse growing] will continue to play a crucial role in the future of produce,” said Franzone. “I won't say it's easy, but it is definitely an easier way to fight off the elements of nature when it comes to growing produce. Greenhouse growing is a great way to consistently deliver high-quality fresh produce pretty much all year-round.”