Now in to its fourth week of Canadian production, NatureFresh Farms’ Bell pepper program is being met with open arms not only by retailers but consumers too.

“The winter market has been a challenge in many respects this year,” Matt Quiring, key account manager, said in a press release. “Production has been limited across North America and Europe due to inclement weather. With new crops being picked this past month, it’s a breathe of fresh air after mediocre quality, limited availability and high prices. Ontario-grown Bell peppers are a welcome sight for retailers and consumers alike."Matt Quiring

The demand for Bell peppers is reaching an all-time high and with NatureFresh Farms being one of the larger Bell pepper growers in North America, the company is well established to ship to all regions throughout the Midwest and Canada.

With the successful launch of NatureFresh’s Delta, OH, greenhouse this winter that’s producing OhioRed tomatoes year-round, consumers on both sides of the border have been vocal on NatureFresh’s social media channels wondering about adding locally grown Bell peppers to either of the company’s facilities in the United States or Canada. In partnership with the Ontario Farm Innovation Program, NatureFresh participated in a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental light from overhead High Pressure Sodium light bulbs and LED bulbs at plant level. While the study is ongoing, NatureFresh continues to research innovative technologies to be able to provide local, year-round greenhouse vegetable production.

NatureFresh Farms increased its organic Bell pepper acreage by 100 percent this season to meet the increasing demand for organics in both the United States and Canada. “The organics market is a unique segment that is focused on consistency from a quality and availability perspective,” Ray Wowryk, director of business development, said in the release.

The success of the company’s organic program prompted the significant increase in acreage this season. NatureFresh grows red, yellow, orange and green certified organic Bell peppers in its Leamington, ON, greenhouses.