Ontario vegetable grower to build $4-million DC
Food in Canada
Food In Canada Business Operations Exporting & Importing Fruit & Vegetables distribution centre grower NatureFresh FarmsDemand has grown so much for NatureFresh that the company is building its fifth distribution centre in Leamington, Ont.
ripe tasty tomatoes and peppers on a white background Leamington, Ont. – One of Canada’s largest independent growers is building a new distribution centre to be ready by this summer.
NatureFresh Farms says in a statement that it was prompted to build the $4-million, 106,000-sq.-ft. DC because of demand for its greenhouse grown products across its entire product line.
Peter Quiring, president of NatureFresh, says expanding the company’s operations and the recent launch of new products is a direct result of growth.
“Over the last few years, we have increased our production capacity to meet the demands of our retail partners,” says Quiring. “Our commitment to quality, regardless of season, is enabling NatureFresh to be an integrated supplier 12 months a year. Expanding our production capabilities in Leamington shows our commitment to growing our business in Canada.”
The state-of-the-art DC will allow NatureFresh to increase production and specialty packaging on site.
It will also compliment the company’s five other distribution centres that are currently operational across the company’s 130 acres in Leamington.
NatureFresh also opened a 60,000 sq.-ft facility in Toledo, Ohio last fall to service the new 45 acres of greenhouse tomato production in Delta, Ohio. Due to the success of its Ohio tomato program, the company has already outgrown the Toledo facility six months after opening the doors and will be expanding in the months to come. NatureFresh’s has more than 500 employees in Canada and the U.S.
After doubling its Organic Bell Pepper acreage in 2016, NatureFresh recently launched its new USDA Certified Organic TOV’s and Organic Red Grape Tomatoes.
“The increasing demand for organics prompted our team to bring two new items to market this year, both are being grown in Leamington,” says Ray Wowryk, director of Business Development.
The Organic TOV’s are available in bulk format whereas the Organic Red Grape Tomatoes are available in Dry Pint formats.
Lastly, the company also unveiled its new Canadian grown TOMZ Snacking Tomatoes in March that are being packed in new top seal formats. NatureFresh grows its proprietary TOMZ brand snacking tomatoes in Delta, Ohio (winter production) and Leamington (summer production).
Image: ThinkStock
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