The numbers tell the story. As a commodity group, fresh produce is the fifth largest agricultural sector in Colorado. “Produce represents 17 percent of total farm receipts for crops grown in Colorado,” said Tim Larsen, senior international marketing specialist with the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Helen L. Aquino, marketing manager for Village Farms LP, headquartered in Eatontown, NJ, told The Produce News that the company is a North American-based firm that grows hydroponically in extremely resource-efficient, high-tech glass houses.

“We grow a number of tomato varieties including, tomatoes on-the-vine, beefsteaks, Romas, grapes, cherry and our signature cocktail tomato that we call ‘Sinfully Sweet Campari,’ “ said Ms. Aquino. “We also grow sweet bell peppers in red, yellow and orange, as well as seedless long English cucumbers and mini cucumbers.”

Double Diamond Acres Ltd. in Leamington, ON, was in the middle of its Ontario greenhouse production June 28, and things were running smoothly despite a slow start to the season, Chris Mastronardi, co-owner of the company, told The Produce News.

“We had some wet weather at the start of the season, but things are much better now,” he said. “Cloudy skies prevent the sunlight from coming into the greenhouses, which translates to a little less production. The greenhouse industry relies predominantly on natural light to help the plants grow.

This season, all aspects of growing and shipping Ontario produce are strong, according to Fred Koornneef, president of Toronto-based Koornneef Produce Ltd.

On June 28, he said that for the last three months, Ontario greenhouses have been shipping “full-bore.”

Ontario field crops, such as zucchini had “just begun.” Strawberries and cherries were to begin harvest by mid-July and apricots, nectarines, peaches, and a variety of plums were to be on the market by late July, according to Mr. Koornneef.

Mr. DiMenna is gearing up to step into the role of chairman of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association for 2012 and 2013.

“These growing areas give us the ability to produce greenhouse vegetables year round,” said Ms. Pickersgill. “Our home farms in Ontario start producing in March and run through November — possibly even into December this year.