Whole Leaf Accelerates Expansion to Meet Demand for Safe, Clean "Inspired Greens"

Largest lettuce greenhouse operation in North America will be ready to add production in March

COALDALE, AB, Nov. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Whole Leaf is doubling in size and production with Phase Two of operations set to open March 15^th, 2019. With this expansion, Whole Leaf will be the largest lettuce greenhouse operation in North America, dedicated to growing ultra-clean, trusted Canadian lettuce every day of the year. 

The state-of-the-art facility, located in Coaldale, Alberta, opened in 2017 and introduced five innovative and proprietary technologies to North American production ? making it possible to annually grow clean, environmentally responsible, safe lettuce varieties in Canada 365 days per year. With consumers having heightened awareness of the food safety, Whole Leaf is doubling its production capability to keep pace with demand from retailers, restaurants and food service chains across Canada and the United States.

"Our vision is to grow lettuce in a clean and trusted environment for everyone to enjoy," said David Karwacki, CEO of The Star Group of Companies, which owns Whole Leaf. "From everyday salad blends to the perfect burger leaf, we want Inspired Greens to be the trusted leafy option of consumers."

The Star Group will spend an additional $30 million on Phase Two of the Whole Leaf greenhouses, bringing the total investment to $60 million. The facility consists of 11 acres of glass and automated systems that make it possible to grow and package up to 24 million heads of Inspired Greens per year.

Inspired Greens are grown with triple-filtrated water and are untouched by human hands from seed through harvest. The clean, safe product process addresses persistent concerns over the safety of field romaine lettuce.

"We have seen a huge increase in consumer awareness and appetite for clean, safe lettuce," said Karwacki. "I eat Inspired Greens without even washing them. The time is right to bring more of a fresh, healthy option to consumers."

SOURCE Whole Leaf