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miles , reduce food waste , and increase the region ’ s food security with products that are healthy and nutritious .”
Responsible farming
The business is constantly innovating its product range to keep pace with consumers ’ evolving demands . One recent example Steven highlights is Sweeties™ , a seedless mini pepper that ’ s intended to meet the growing demand for snacking varieties . “ Bringing a new variety like Sweeties to market is a collaborative process . It involves market research , sourcing seeds tailored to our growing conditions and regions ; running trials to test for flavor , yield , virus resistance , and shelf life , and then packing and branding . At any given moment , we ’ re conducting numerous trials across our greenhouse facilities to continually innovate and meet market demands .
“ Alongside innovation ,” Steven explains , “ sustainability is also a top priority . When we
built our Santa Maria facility for example , we installed one mega watt of solar panels on the roof of the packhouse , which can supply up to 20 percent of the facility ’ s power . For the greenhouse itself , we partnered with KUBO to construct the world ’ s largest Ultra-Clima greenhouse . This design utilizes both indoor and outdoor air to create an optimal growing environment . The roof is screened to prevent pests from entering and energy-efficient fans help reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions .
“ Similarly , with our recent Delta build , we incorporated advanced technologies to ensure operations are as sustainable and efficient as possible . We collaborated with BC Hydro to utilize renewable hydroelectric power for our lit production . We also opted for LED lighting because of its energy efficiency , long lifespan , and customizable light spectrum . LEDs also produce less heat , which helps maintain ideal greenhouse temperatures . By integrating
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