Innovations abound at Origin Organic Farms, where this season’s focus is on greater cucumber and colored bell pepper volumes, and a steadfast commitment to developing and growing in the soil that coaxes out the best flavor.
“In 1997, I founded a hydroponic greenhouse operation that focused on growing high-quality tomatoes and cucumbers,” says Raymond Wong, President of OriginO. A year later, he built a test greenhouse for organic farming and in 2005, the company converted from conventional to organic farming to respond to the North American consumer’s need of high-quality organic produce. “Vice President of Operations Keith Hammonds joined in 2006 and by 2007 we were fully organic.”
Darren Bonnell with Oppy, Keith Hammonds and Raymond Wong with OriginO.
Refining the concept
“As one of Canada’s first growers to produce greenhouse organic vegetables, we quickly discovered the immense challenges involved,” shared Wong. “We had 33 acres of organic greenhouse production in three different locations in British Columbia and were doing many different things. We needed more focus.”
Raymond, Keith and the OriginO team also began to recognize that switching from liquid to solid sources of plant nutrition was a key to differentiating in flavor while remaining true to authentic organic growing methods.
Organic tomatoes on the vine
“We scaled back from 33 acres to five acres with just tomatoes on-the-vine. We concentrated on nutrition and soil and re-designed the growing process,” Wong said. The greenhouse slowly filled up again and went back to full production. “Today, we grow in two locations in Delta and Langley in British Columbia.” Long English cucumbers and red and yellow bell peppers make up the majority of the acreage, with TOVs and specialty items growing in smaller volume.
As of this year, OriginO is researching its own propagation for cucumbers. “We’re working toward controlling the crop from seed to end product,” Wong said.
Taste the difference
Like any industry trailblazer, OriginO had to overcome many struggles, but Wong is very proud of where the company is today. “It is still not easy to compete with growers in the US and Mexico, because the cost of production in Canada is considerably higher. But because our products are grown in an organic environment, the quality and flavor stand out. Just taste the difference,” Wong finished.
Organic TOVs ready to be shipped.
OriginO’s products are marketed and distributed by Oppy in Canada and the US.
For more information:
Raymond Wong
OriginO
Tel: (+1) 604-940-3928