"US: "Year round production very much appreciated by our customers"

Backyard Farms in Madison, Maine, is one of the few year round greenhouse growers in the Northeast of the United States. They market all of their tomatoes from their gigantic 17 hectare greenhouse complex to markets within a 48 hour drive to ensure quality and freshness. We asked Tim Cunniff, executive vice president of sales at Backyard Farms, about the importance of their relations with local chefs and consumers when it comes down to new variety trials.

Backyard Farms is one of the largest greenhouse growers in the Northeast. Cunniff stressed that the company has established a large customer base in the region since the company started to grow in 2007. "We are a large grower, our 42 acres of year round production with supplemental lighting enables us to supply about 60 to 65 percent of greenhouse grown tomato needs in the Northeast. During the winter time Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are important markets for us."

Tim Cunniff, executive vice president of sales at Backyard Farms. PICTURE BY WWW.PRESSHERALD.COM

Backyard Farms grows primarily tomatoes on the vine. As well as this they cultivate cocktail tomatoes on the vine on 20 percent of their acreage and another 20 percent is used for beefsteak tomatoes. Additions to their product catalogue are extensively trialled by their growers. "It is important to ask your customer what he is searching for as well, it is important to find the right balance," Cunniff said.

Somerset Pink

This also applies to their Somerset Pink crop, which the Madison based grower commercially introduced last year. Cunniff explained that it is a long process for Backyard farms to select a new variety before they introduce it commercially.

"As in every greenhouse, a grower needs to find the right variety for the right type of cultivation. He needs to have a variety that fits the growing setting; the climate, the available light and the good growing characteristics and yield. This all matters to us, but what is most important to us is the quality and taste," Cunniff said.

The Maine tomato grower works closely together with local chefs, restaurants and consumers to obtain feedback on new varieties. "They help us to decide which variety we grow. We have to balance quality, flavour and yield. We definitely prefer flavour and quality above yield. But we need to bear in mind that a variety also needs to be affordable to grow. In the end we can grow any variety, as long as we receive the right price for it. That is an important aspect.'

A tweet by Italian restaurant chain Salvatore's in Boston last week

Steady customer base

"We have a very steady customer base that is often involved in the selection of new varieties," Cunniff said. According to him, consistency and quality are the most important reasons why his Backyard Farms' customers prefer their tomatoes above produce from Mexico, Canada or elsewhere in the U.S.

"We hear from our customers that they appreciate the consistency of our crop quality, something that is not available from other growers, who are further away. The local aspect matters, but also the year round aspect and equal quality throughout the year with the help of supplemental lighting, is very much appreciated."

For more information

Backyard Farms

Tim Cunniff (e-mail)

EVP, Sales & Marketing

131 River Road

Madison, ME 04950

T: (207) 232-1008

T: (207) 696-5300