Canada: Affinor Growers closes technology license with Vertical Designs Ltd. to enter the billion dollar strawberry market

Affinor Growers is extremely excited to enter the multi-billion dollar strawberry market after closing the exclusive licence to grow market-ready strawberries using automated, software-driven, vertical farming technology from Vertical Designs Ltd. (VDL).

This patent-pending technology was designed to mass produce high quality strawberries grown indoors without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides and Affinor Growers plans to meet the global demand for strawberries with a non-GMO, healthy alternative produced with VDL technology.

VDL systems uses enhanced farming methods, which have been designed to help solve global food security and shortage issues. The automated, software-driven technology is unique for it's mechanical pollination, zero water waste and ability to grow grade A1 strawberries year-round regardless of seasonality.

According to the Agriculture Marketing Resource Center (agmrc.org) "The strawberry market is valued in the multiple-billions and surpassed the fresh apple industry for the first time in 2010".

Current methods of growing strawberries use incredible amounts of chemicals and pesticides and rely on fossil fuels for shipping and distribution. Pesticide Action Network analysis of pesticide residues using USDA data found 54 different pesticide residues were detected among strawberry samples. The testing turned up nine known or probable carcinogens, 24 suspected hormone disruptors, 11 neurotoxins, 12 developmental or reproductive toxins, and 19 honeybee toxins. Traces of fungicides captan and pyraclostrobin turned up on more than half of strawberry samples tested.

Spoilage is also a major cost factor so Affinor Growers plans to build facilities near urban centres which can radically lower shipping costs and dramatically reduce spoilage which will extend the shelf life of crops produced.

Vertical Designs Technology can produce 10 to 15 times the yield per square foot than land-based growing and minimizes the environmental impact in terms of water use, land, and power.

"I sampled a 53 gram fully vine-ripened strawberry produced by Affinor, and it was better than any other strawberry I have ever tasted, including our local summer berries." - Rick Easthom, former Manager of Retail Development for Choices Food Markets"

Under the terms, Affinor is issuing 666,666 common shares of the Corporation at a deemed price of 75 cents per share to VDL and will pay a 5-per-cent net royalty on the net sales of production.

Sebastien Plouffe, President & CEO, comments: "This is a huge deal for Affinor as it will allow us to build our first strawberry facility immediately using VDL's proven technology".

For more information
Affinor Growers Inc.
Sebastien Plouffe
President & CEO
T: (514) 947-2272
splouffe@affinorresources.com
www.affinorresources.com

Vertical Designs Ltd
Nick Brusatore, CEO
T: (604) 356-0411
nbrusatore@gmail.com