Apr 13, 2015

Nature Fresh breaks ground on Ohio greenhouse project

Nature Fresh Farms broke ground on Phase I of the company’s new 180-acre Delta, Ohio, greenhouse facility on April 10.

“We are extremely delighted to be here today to put the first shovels in the ground for Phase I of our Delta Greenhouse Project,” said Peter Quiring, president and CEO.

Surrounded by more than 150 people from the community, along with local, state and congressional representatives, Quiring went on to explain how the project would evolve, starting with Phase I of 15 acres to a total of 12 15-acre phases over the next seven years, according to a press release.

“This project is about cooperation and partnership”, said Ohio Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, who took part in the event. Taylor also noted that the project was going to create more than 300 jobs for Ohio, which received a round of applause from the crowd.

With the project structured to be built in 12 phases over seven years, the Delta greenhouse will be a state of the art facility with a high degree of automation. The facility will also be using special High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights to grow throughout the winter months. Long term plans for the project call for a partnership with neighbour North Star BlueScope Steel to use their waste heat and CO2 to help heat the greenhouse & reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Positioned as a backdrop to the ground-breaking area were massive earthmovers, bulldozers and excavators from Carpenter Construction who are expected to start levelling the project area this week.

Nature Fresh expects to pick its first crop of tomatoes in late December, and will provide locally grown Ohio tomatoes to Midwest grocery stores year round.

Click here to learn more about the project.