Backyard Farms lettuce expands into new markets in Florida and Colorado

Kingsville, Ontario-based Mastronardi Produce is launching a locally grown greenhouse lettuce line under its Backyard Farms brand that will support growers in Florida and Colorado.

The company recently partnered with two family-owned lettuce greenhouses that were serving local markets but facing challenges. One grower — Naples Fresh in Naples, Fla. — was looking for a strong marketing partner to fuel its lettuce sales, while the other — Spring Born in Silt, Colo. — was forced to idle its operations late last year due to insufficient retail presence, according to a news release.

Both facilities are new and feature high-tech growing systems for leafy greens, according to the release. Mastronardi said it will support Naples Fresh and Spring Born in marketing and distributing their products under its new Backyard Farms lettuce line, driving growth for the businesses.

“We have relationships with growers spanning decades, and we highly value them,” Dean Taylor, vice president of business development for Mastronardi Produce, said in the release. “We have always fostered relationships that are win-win, so we are thrilled to partner with Naples Fresh and Spring Born to launch our Backyard Farms lettuce line while supporting both the local workforce and food supply at the same time.”

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Backyard Farms has a loyal consumer base and long history of providing locally grown tomatoes in Maine, the company said. The brand has expanded in recent years to New York, Michigan, Ohio and Colorado. Naples Fresh and Spring Born will expand the Backyard Farms brand to the southeastern and western U.S., producing an anticipated 2 million pounds of greenhouse-grown lettuce per year, according to the release.

“Mastronardi Produce is an industry pioneer with innovative spirit,” Nicholas Martins, managing director of Naples Fresh, said in the release. “This partnership supercharges our ability to serve the community in our backyard — in Florida and the greater Southeast region.”

“The entire team at Spring Born is eager to partner with the leader in produce,” Charles Barr, CEO of Spring Born, said in the release. “Our greenhouse was built to serve high volume customers, and we could not have found a better partner to serve the Colorado market."

The greenhouse-grown lettuce from Naples Fresh and Spring Born will supply butterhead, red leaf, green leaf, romaine and organic spring mix blends to the new lettuce line.

Retailers attending the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure trade show received a first look at the Backyard Farms lettuce, demonstrating strong support for the new line, according to the release. Fresh Florida and Colorado lettuce is growing now and will be available through retailers and foodservice operators this spring, the release said.