Mastronardi Produce/Sunset continues expansion of its Coldwater, MI, greenhouse
Mastronardi Produce/Sunset continues expansion of its Coldwater, MI, greenhouse
“As the largest greenhouse pepper company in North America, our family-owned, employee operated company has quietly grown its acreage and capacity in Coldwater, Michigan, since completing Phase II of the greenhouse operation this past summer,” said Paul Mastronardi, chief executive officer of Mastronardi Produce/Sunset, headquartered in Leamington, ON. “After the completion we decided to carry on expanding the Coldwater greenhouses to 100 acres.
“We have already established a strong demand for our Michigan-grown tomatoes from retailers, and were overwhelmed with the response from consumers,” he continued. “We are anticipating even more enthusiasm for local ‘Sunset’ peppers this spring.”
Greenhouse builders Havecon Projects & Stolze wrapped up Phase II of the Coldwater facility this past August and have been working through the winter to complete Pepperco. At 41 acres, Mastronardi Produce’s greenhouse is the first large-scale pepper greenhouse in the United States.
Mastronardi noted that since opening the Coldwater facility in 2012, Mastronardi Produce has been leading the industry with advanced greenhouse technology to combat frigid Michigan winters and bring fresh, summertime flavor to the Midwest in a sustainable way.
“Because of the strategic location of Coldwater, we’re able to reduce food miles and deliver a vine-ripened product,” said Joe Sbrocchi, vice president of business development for the company. “With such close proximity to a number of distribution centers, we’re able to harvest, pack and ship our produce to our clients’ doors the same day, which ensures that consumers who purchase our vegetables are getting the freshest product possible.”
The state-of-the-art greenhouse will begin harvesting in the spring of this year. Mastronardi added, “Stay tuned for more Sunset expansions.”
