Last updated on August 29th, 2016 at 09:39 am
Even in the heart of the summer when there is an abundance of fresh produce choices, NatureFresh Farms Mobile Greenhouse Education Center is gaining momentum with consumers who want to know how their tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers are being grown, and by whom.
“Using the Greenhouse Education Center as a living example of how we grow, we have a unique opportunity to connect with consumers. Our teams spend as much time as needed with the consumer to explain how we grow and the various benefits of eating greenhouse grown tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers,” said Chris Veillon, director of marketing.
Now in it’s second full year, the company’s #GreenInTheCity Tour has been visiting schools and retail locations across eastern North America since late spring, connecting with consumer of all ages. Combined with product demonstrations at all events, consumers not only get to learn about how greenhouse vegetables are grown but also taste them.
“We have invested a great deal of resources in not only talking about how we grow but putting locally grown, greenhouse vegetables into the consumer’s hand to taste the quality that NatureFresh Farms produces. The message really hits home with the consumer when we tell them we are the grower,” said Ray Wowryk, director of business development.
NatureFresh began shipping locally grown OhioRed Tomatoes from its Delta, Ohio, greenhouse in February and will ship an extensive variety of locally grown specialty tomatoes year-round later this fall. NatureFresh Farms is the first vertically integrated greenhouse grower to ship locally grown tomatoes year-round from Ohio.
NatureFresh Farms partnered with Walkerville Collegiate in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, to develop an information video to explain the various processes of greenhouse vegetable growing. The video has been particularly successful with schools and has resulted in the demand for more digital resources to support in-classroom initiatives.
With more than 60 events already completed this year, NatureFresh says it has seen tremendous support for the initiative, with positive feedback and support from both retailers and consumers alike. The #GreenInTheCity Tour is scheduled to continue through the fall, wrapping up at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario, on Nov. 13.
