“Mastronardi has been certified organic handlers since 2010,” said Daniela Ferro, communications coordinator for Mastronardi Produce Ltd, headquartered in Leamington, Ontario.

“We are both National Organic Program certified and Canada Organic Regime certified,” she added.

The strongest selling organic products that the company offers are its organic “Campari” brand cocktail tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine, beefsteak tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, English cucumbers and mini cucumbers.

“Our newest organic item is our ‘Sunset’ mini cucumbers,” said Ferro. “These have become extremely popular among many consumers, especially those with children who are looking for a healthy snack. Mastronardi added the popular item is an organic option in order to provide consumers with choices.”

Mastronardi Produce’s “Sunset” brand products are grown throughout North America. The company supplies many retailers across North America, including small and large chains as well as wholesalers.

“We also distribute to foodservice operations through Mastronardi Fresh, which is our foodservice division,” noted Ferro.

“We are fortunate to sell our products to wholesalers, which is a great conduit to specialty stores. Our distribution range stretches far and wide. We distribute our products nationwide in North America and in Japan, the Caribbean and Taiwan,” Ferro said.

Mastronardi Produce has a more than sixty-year history in the greenhouse industry. The first generation in the company to grow greenhouse produce in Ontario was Umberto Mastronardi, who realized a need for the growing system in the early 1940s.

Today, four generations later, the Mastronardi family still owns and manages the company. It grows and sells world-class tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, baby eggplants, lettuce and berries.

“In the spirit of Umberto Mastronardi, we continue to pioneer new greenhouse technology, sustainable growing practices, and the protection of heritage, old-world produce varieties,” said Ferro.

The company is far ahead of the required food-safety and traceability requirements of customers today.

“Food safety is a top priority for Sunset Produce,” said Ferro. “We operate under a food-safety system that utilizes the internationally accepted Safe Quality Foods standards.”

She added that many consumers are focusing more and more on making conscious healthy decisions. As more people become educated on produce and where it comes from, they make more conscious decisions to purchase organic.

“Even during the economic decline organic sales stayed relatively strong,” said Ferro. “This demonstrates that consumers value quality. Since introducing our ‘Sunset’ organics line we have been rapidly expanding our selection.”