subject: Soave Enterprises And Great Northern Hydroponics Supporting Industry Growth [print this page] Although greenhouse tomatoes still constitute a minority share of the U.S. fresh tomato market, their influence is growing in retail channels, which represents about half of U.S. tomato consumption. As part of the greenhouse tomato industry, Soave Enterprises, has established itself as an important part of the North American fresh tomato industry.
Rising Demand
Growers recognize that today's consumer society appreciates a varied tomato supply. Thanks to improved varieties, as well as the positive health benefits associated with eating tomatoes, the U.S. has experienced a 30 percent rise in the consumption of fresh tomatoes since the mid-1980s, with estimated 2010 annual per capita consumption levels around 20.8 pounds.
Several factors have contributed to the market growth of greenhouse tomatoes. Protection from weather and other conditions generally produces a much more uniform appearance than field tomatoes and more consistent production volumes. These factors have led to a greater consistency in quality and pricing - issues that are of particular concern to the retail and foodservice industries served by growers.
U.S. Imports
Major greenhouse industries have been established in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, with the United States being the largest North American market for greenhouse tomatoes. However, in recent years, the growth in U.S. imports has exceeded the growth in U.S. production.
One such Canadian supplier in southern Ontario is Great Northern Hydroponics, an affiliate of Soave Enterpriseswhere the singular focus is the production and packaging of gourmet tomatoes on the vine through state-of-the-art hydroponic technology. Great Northern Hydroponics' 50-acre greenhouse facility is capable of producing more than 2.1 million cases of gourmet tomatoes annually.
Applying Innovative Technology to Hydroponics
As a businessman, Anthony Soave encourages all of his companies to incorporate the latest technologies and innovation to improve their processes and products. True to this conviction, Great Northern Hydroponics applies the latest production techniques such as raised troughs, inter planting, run-off fertilizer recycling, computerized climate controls, biological pest management, and computerized labor tracking.
The result is a tomato high in nutrients with extended shelf life, pesticide and herbicide free, and provides customers with significant value and uncompromised quality.
Producing More than Just Veggies
At Great Northern Hydroponics, tomatoes aren't the only thing the company is producing. Having recently signed a 20-year power purchase contract with the government of Ontario, Canada, the company has also developed a 12 mega-watt electrical power facility. Under this contract, the Canadian government will purchase enough electricity generated by the plant to power 5,000 residential homes in the local area.
Creating electricity from natural gas produces substantial amounts of thermal energy, as well as carbon dioxide exhaust emissions. This thermal energy, in the form of hot water, will be supplied to Great Northern Hydroponics to heat the greenhouse. In addition, the power plant will employ the latest in environmental technology to clean the exhaust emissions and extract carbon dioxide. Because carbon dioxide is a key component of photosynthesis, the new energy facility will also provide the greenhouse with this necessary "fertilizer" for the greenhouse's tomato crop.
According to Great Northern's President Darrin Didychuk, the project is the most technically advanced and environmentally sustainable projects of its kind anywhere in North America.
