“We own and operate greenhouses in Texas and Delta, British Columbia,” said Douglas Kling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for

Village Farms LP, headquartered in Heathrow, FL. “In addition we have strong high tech greenhouse partners in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and in Canada.”

Village Farms is recognized as a leading greenhouse producer, shipper and marketing firm that has presence throughout North America. Its creatively branded greenhouse vegetables, such as its “Heavenly Villagio Marzano” tomatoes and “Scrumptious Mini” cucumbers, in addition to numerous other clever labels, have resulted in accolades for the company within the produce and marketing industries. The company has a broad customer profile, however its largest is direct retail chains grocery, mass and club channels.

“We produce several varieties of tomatoes and long English cucumbers,” said Kling. “And with our grower-partners we offer bell peppers. In addition we have several trials on specialty produce varieties with exclusive genetics’ contracts that have strong flavor metrics, good yield and several unique attributes that meet consumers’ broad needs in today’s market.”

In the United States, Village Farm’s greenhouses run year round. In Canada the cycle runs from approximately late February through the end of December, and in Mexico from January through the end of June, with a second cycle starting up in August or September.

Kling noted that while the company does not currently produce organic greenhouse vegetables in its facilities, it is investigating the requirements and benefits.

“We believe our all natural greenhouse products may be safer and more consistent in flavor and yield in many ways than current organic products,” he said.

Approximately 80 acres of Village Farm’s Marfa, TX, facility was destroyed in a hailstorm in late May 2012, and the final 20 acres will be rebuilt in the near future.

The company also has new projects under way in research and development.

“We also are involved in a fuel cell project with Quadrogen Power Systems and an energy acquisition with Maxim Power Corporation in British Columbia,” he continued. “This makes Village Farms one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable companies in the western Canadian region.”

Kling also said that the company is looking at other locations for developing new greenhouse facilities.

“Given the sustainable nature of true high tech greenhouses, with natural, safe, healthy and flavorful product, consumers are demanding more of these attributes and the movement is building,” said Kling. “Product is fresh and safe and it has positive economic impacts on communities.”

Village Farms, he pointed out, will continue to develop strong greenhouse farming techniques that allow consumers affordable, healthy and safe produce.

“We also have strong initiatives under way to expand our variety and segment based, given growing broader ethnic and economic demographics in the North American Market,” added Kling. “It is our goal to be on the leading of edge of product development, people development and overall performance.”