With a shared commitment to protecting the integrity of the greenhouse-growing process, Nature Fresh Farms is joining Certified Greenhouse Farmers, representing the "best of the best" in quality, food safety and environmental performance.

As the newest member of the trade association — one that advocates for a national definition for "greenhouse grown" — the Leamington, ON-based Nature Fresh Farms meets the association's definition for greenhouse and underwent a rigorous, independent, third-party audit against the association's certification standard. Among the items audited were structural and environmental controls, water resource management, Integrated Pest Management procedures, plant nutrition management, ecosystem management and integrated waste management.

"From our first interactions with the Nature Fresh team, it was clear they shared in our values and commitment to growing with integrity, producing the highest quality greenhouse products on the market and continuous improvement," Ed Beckman, president of Certified Greenhouse Farmers, said in a press release. "For that, we're thrilled to welcome Nature Fresh as our newest member."

Nature Fresh Farms is one of the larger independent greenhouse produce growers in Canada and is a leading greenhouse pepper grower in North America, growing on more than 150 acres. The company produces 84 varieties of peppers, 98 varieties of tomatoes, along with other vegetables such as cucumbers and eggplants.

Nature Fresh Farms demonstrates its commitment to sustainable growing through a variety of practices, including use of bio-mass fuels, a 90 percent efficient water recirculation system with pasteurization and other technologies, which save both energy and man hours.

"While we've long had a commitment to the highest standards for greenhouse-growing, we're proud that our products will now carry the 'Certified Greenhouse' seal, serving as a point of differentiation from other products on the market," Peter Quiring, founder and chief executive officer of Nature Fresh Farms, added in the press release.