Strawberry UFV test site results to date
The small, 4 level, 8 arm prototype, produced over 130 pounds of strawberries over three and half months in an area of only 100 square feet. This production of strawberries met Affinor's initial objectives and Affinor plans to double production again, in the same footprint area, by installing a second tower with 4 levels but increasing to 16 arms.
Strawberry purity test results
Affinor also sent a sample of strawberries to an independent accredited laboratory for pesticide and heavy metal analysis. For comparative purposes, a second sample from a popular strawberry name brand was purchased from a local retail grocery store for benchmark analysis. The strawberries were screened for over 300 pesticides and 4 heavy metals. Affinor's sample tested negative for all pesticides with no trace amounts of heavy metals. The strawberries purchased from the local grocery store tested positive for 4 pesticides and contained trace levels of one heavy metal.
Jarrett Malnarick, President & CEO, comments, "We are very happy our initial growth trials and the product analysis prove the technology can grow strawberries efficiently and naturally in soil without the use of chemicals or pesticides. Strawberries are traditionally a difficult fruit to grow, and we are excited to be changing the way strawberries will be commercially produced."
The BioPods are a City of Surrey vision and agricultural initiative designed as a catalyst for agricultural research and innovation. Under the supervision of the University of the Fraser Valley, the BioPods provide a testing ground for new agriculture technologies and techniques. In April 2016, Affinor installed a vertical growing system within the BioPod research center to validate the technology by growing strawberries throughout the summer months and coming winter.
Option grant
Affinor's board of directors has also approved the grant of 1,550,000 stock options exercisable at $0.15 per share and expiring November 22, 2019 to its directors, officers and consultants.
For more information
Affinor Growers
Jarrett Malnarick, President and CEO604.837.8688
jarrett@affinorgrowers.com