Since first opening in 2011, Great Lakes Growers has quickly become one of Northeast Ohio’s largest hydroponic growers of fresh, clean and nutritionally packed lettuce and herbs – serving the Great Lakes region. And it owes much of its success to an impassioned commitment to being healthy. Not just in the actual produce it grows in its 60,000-square foot state-of-the-art greenhouse, but in all the processes it employs. Which is why Great Lakes Growers has always rejected the use of chemical herbicides in its facility, preferring to grow its delicious lettuce and herbs in a way that is naturally better for the body and the environment. Recently, Great Lakes Growers took its healthy commitment a step farther by becoming certified for Non-GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
Look for the official Non-GMO seal, like this one on Great Lakes Growers’ Living Lettuce, to ensure your produce does not carry potentially harmful GMOs.
What are GMOs? According to the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building a healthier food supply, GMOs are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory. As a result, these genetically altered organisms are used to produce insecticides and to survive heavy doses of herbicides. Both of which are potentially harmful to human health.
“Unfortunately, research points out that more than 80% of our food in North America contains some form of GMO,” stresses John Bonner, co-partner of Great Lakes Growers. “And, while we’ve always kept a close watch on the use of chemicals in our facility, with our new Non-GMO certification, we’re able to ensure families are getting the safest, healthiest, highest quality lettuce and herbs possible from us,” smiles Bonner.
More specifically, 11 of Great Lakes’ products have been Non-GMO Project Verified. These include Great Lakes’ Living Lettuce, such as its Green Buttercrunch, Salanova Multileaf products, as well as its full collection of herbs, including Living Basil, Arugula, Watercress, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, and Mint.
“We believe everyone has the right to know exactly what’s in their food. And they should be able to make informed decisions about what to buy and feed their families,” affirms Great Lakes Growers co-partner, Tim Ryan. “Becoming officially Non-GMO certified means we’re growing and harvesting our produce using methods that are not harmful to people or the environment,” concludes Ryan.
To find out where you can stock up on your very own delicious Great Lakes Living Lettuce and Living Herbs, visit www.greatlakesgrowers.com. And, for more information about the Non-GMO Project, go to www.nongmoproject.org.