VEGPRO INTERNATIONAL INC. TO BUILD ONE OF THE LARGEST GREENHOUSES IN CANADA, REPRESENTING AN INVESTMENT OF OVER $135 MILLION

The Sherrington-based greenhouse will enable Vegpro to supply Quebec, Ontario, the Maritimes, and the north-eastern United States with fresh vegetables even during winter.

Sherrington, May 24, 2024 – Vegpro International Inc (Vegpro), producer of Fresh Attitude brand lettuce available in more than 2,500 retail locations across the country, will build one of Canada’s largest greenhouses in Quebec’s Sherrington area. This state-of-the-art facility will be able to produce 3.5 million kilograms (7.8 million pounds) of fresh lettuce and vegetables annually, regardless of the season. This represents an average of 68,000 kilograms (150,000 pounds) per week, or 62 million portions of salad ^{each year.}

With a surface area of 5.2 hectares (12.8 acres), the equivalent of four soccer fields, the new greenhouse will be operational year-round, enabling Vegpro to produce vegetables in Quebec on a continuous basis. The company will distribute these new fresh products to Quebecers as well as to residents of Ontario, the Maritimes, and the north-eastern United States.

Investment and diversification

Regular production within the new greenhouse, whose construction represents an investment of over $135 million, will begin during the first quarter of 2025. Vegpro will be using these new facilities to grow crispier varieties of green and red “Crispy Teens”‑type lettuce, to be marketed under a brand separate from Fresh Attitude baby lettuces, and will also be adding other types of vegetables to its production. Thus, the company will diversify and expand its existing range with a new offering of products with distinctive textures and tastes. The objective of these new facilities is to meet growing consumer demand for locally-grown vegetables year-round.

This major and modern greenhouse project, based on cutting-edge technologies, will mainly be built by Quebec suppliers such as Frare & Gallant Construction, Gobeil Dion & Associés Inc, Vermax, Laporte, Sollum, and Groupe SGM.

Sustainability-driven

This new greenhouse will be aligned with the company’s environmental and sustainable farming goals. Greenhouse farming eliminates the use of pesticides, while the integration of innovative concepts, such as LED lighting systems, aerothermy, and waste heat recovery systems, will help minimize energy consumption. At night, blackout curtains will eliminate 99% of light pollution. Furthermore, the innovative design of this new greenhouse will allow irrigation through the use of rainwater recovered from the roof, representing a sustainable and efficient source that will significantly reduce water consumption, with water savings of up to 90% compared with traditional field cultivation methods.

“This greenhouse represents an important milestone in Vegpro’s strategy and aspirations,” said Anthony Fantin, President and CEO of Vegpro International Inc. “The ability to offer fresh produce throughout the year, in a sustainable manner and despite Quebec’s harsh winters, is a long-standing project, unique in Canada, for which we have thoroughly planned its implementation. Our greenhouse complex reflects our commitment to the environment and our desire to be a benchmark company when it comes to sustainable practices. We’ll all savour the benefits!”

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About Vegpro International Inc.

Vegpro International Inc., founded in 1998 and based in Quebec, is the largest producer of fresh salads and vegetables in Canada. Specialized in the cultivation and packaging of baby lettuces, the company also markets a wide range of vegetables grown on its farms located across North America and supplies its customers with top-quality products throughout the year. Born from a grouping of family companies, Vegpro International Inc. is committed to bringing its eco-responsibility and sustainability values to life in its day-to-day work.

Media Contact:

Austin Everett

aeverett@zonefrancherp.com

514-834-4181