Greenhouse Pioneer Featured in Canada's 150th Anniversary Celebrations

Celebrating Canada’s 150th also includes celebrating the industry leaders which Canada is known for. This includes the booming greenhouse business in which Canada is a major player.  Recently, the National Post, a national news source in Canada, featured a pioneer in the industry, Mastronardi Produce and the Mastronardi family, with anarticle titled “Canada 150: Hunger for tomatoes turns Canada into greenhouse superpower”. 

CEO Paul Mastronardi was interviewed for the piece at the company’s test greenhouse in Kingsville, ON.  This greenhouse, which houses over 500 tomato varieties, is the largest trial centre in North America. It’s the key to Mastronardi’s success which is based on innovation and flavor. As Mastronardi describes it, “It’s more of a research program. Flavor means repeat sales”.  

Mastronardi also explains the evolution of greenhouse growing and his family’s deep history in the field which dates back four generations. His great grandfather, Armando Mastronardi, who immigrated to Canada in the 1920’s, started the family’s produce empire by wisely selecting the country’s southernmost spot which was perfect for farming. In the 1940s, his grandfather, Umberto, evolved this farming by bringing Dutch greenhouse technology to Canada allowing year round growing. 

Mastronardi then describes how in the early 1980’s the family became modern farmers, getting out of the dirt and advancing the greenhouse industry by using modern technology and processes. This in turn, minimized environmental impacts while improving yields, working conditions, and overall flavor. The online video titled, “Tomato Zsar” features Mastronardi as he explains the process of modern greenhouse growing and the future of the industry. 

“We’re very excited that Canada’s celebrating its 150th and that various media outlets, including the National Post, are highlighting key industries in which Canada plays a leadership role” said CEO Paul Mastronardi. “It’s especially satisfying to have the spotlight on the Canadian greenhouse industry and on the Mastronardi family who have been recognized as greenhouse pioneers. We thank the National Post for visiting our greenhouse facilities to better educate the public on this innovative and growing business.”

For more information:
Daniela Ferro  
Tel: +1 519 326 1491
Mob: +1 519 990 6933
danielaf@sunsetgrown.com
sunsetgrown.com