Nature Fresh Farms Joins Certified Greenhouse Farmers

Nature Fresh Farms is joining Certified Greenhouse Farmers. As the newest member of the trade association — which advocates for a national definition for “greenhouse grown” — Leamington, Ontario-based Nature Fresh Farms meets the associations’ definition for greenhouse, and underwent a rigorous, independent, third-party audit against the associations’ certification standard. Among the items audited include: structural and environmental controls, water resource management, Integrated Pest Management procedures, plant nutrition management, ecosystem management and integrated waste management. “From our first interactions with the Nature Fresh team, it was clear they shared in our values and commitment to growing with integrity, producing the highest quality greenhouse products on the market and continuous improvement,” says Ed Beckman, Certified Greenhouse Farmers president. “For that, we’re thrilled to welcome Nature Fresh as our newest member.” Nature Fresh Farms grows on more than 150 acres, producing 84 varieties of peppers and 98 varieties of tomatoes, along with other vegetables such as cucumbers and eggplants. Nature Fresh Farms demonstrates its commitment to sustainable growing through a variety of practices, including use of bio-mass fuels, a 90% efficient water recirculation system with pasteurization, and other technologies — which save both energy and man hours — developed for energy, light and plant health. “While we’ve long had a commitment to the highest standards for greenhouse-growing, we’re proud that our products will now carry the Certified Greenhouse seal, serving as a point of differentiation from other products on the market,” says Peter Quiring, Founder and CEO of Nature Fresh Farms. Certified Greenhouse Farmers’ mission is to protect the greenhouse growing process. Comprised of Houwelings Tomatoes, Nature Fresh Farms, Village Farms, Windset Farms and their farmer networks, the organization is the voice of certified greenhouse growers, and educates trade and consumer audiences about the value of certified greenhouse products. Through its rigorous audits and controls, Certified Greenhouse Farmers produces the “best of the best” in consistent product quality, food safety and environmental performance. For more information, visit CertifiedGreenhouse.org.