Nature Fresh Farms Sales adds 123 acres of lit production with their growing partners Nature Fresh Farms, Ketler Farms, and VineFresh.
The Netherlands-based Agrolux Lighting, a worldwide supplier of lighting for horticulture, signed an agreement with the greenhouse companies, bringing a significant number of horticultural lights to their farms which will be completed in the fall of 2022. This major deal involves the majority being Agrolux Wega LED light fixtures and some HPS fixtures. It is also the first signed agreement for Agrolux Wega LED fixtures in North America.
Following this deal,123 acres of lit production will spread between partners and Nature Fresh Farms' operations in the U.S. and Canada.
“This is an important achievement for our Agrolux Wega LED product,” said Nick Boelen, international sales director of Agrolux. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with Nature Fresh Farms and Vine Fresh Acres also for LED lighting.”
For Nature Fresh Farms, the lit crop will expand across its Leamington, ON, and Delta, OH farms. In Leamington, 31 acres of organic cucumbers are to be under LED lights and Ohio’s recently announced 45-acre expansion will also be devoted to LED-lit organics. In total, 123 acres of lit production will spread between partners and their farms in the U.S. and Canada. Nature Fresh Farms will cover all conventional commodities in addition to organics with this light order.
“Technology and innovation are fundamental to Nature Fresh Farms and we continually look for better ways to provide our retail partners with year-round fresh produce,” said Matt Quiring, director of sales. “Increasing our lit crops allows us to hit all of our core commodities and organics.”
Left: John Ketler; right: Matt Quiring.
Greenhouse lighting offers the ability to grow year-round. Consumers rely on imports of vegetables during the off-season. However, with more lit production, Nature Fresh Farms can satisfy the demand for fresh local produce throughout the year while maintaining its commitment to growing sustainably.
Currently, Nature Fresh Farms has 126 acres of lit production across its Delta and Leamington farms that were initially equipped with lighting in 2015. Since then, Nature Fresh Farms and Agrolux have developed their relationship while supporting the advancement of LED technology.
“Sustainability has always been inherent in how we operate our business,” said John Ketler, vice-president. “We look at how we can continue to meet retail and consumer demands, but in the most efficient and sustainable way. The additional acreage under lights makes that possible.”
"Nature Fresh Farms' partnership with Agrolux will assist in its ongoing commitment to research and development of lighting technology. As Nature Fresh Farms continues conducting light trials at its Leamington-based Discovery Center, the company will progress towards new technology supporting sustainable growing while delivering quality produce."
For more information:
Nature Fresh Farms
Tel: +1 (519) 326-1111
info@naturefresh.ca
www.naturefresh.ca