NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Village Farms now has Caribbean operations
Village Farms International, Inc. has begun
operations in the Caribbean with the first of its kind packing and
distribution facility in the Dominican Republic.
Oct. 3, 2011, Vancouver, Village Farms International, Inc. has begun operations in the Caribbean with the first of its kind packing and distribution facility in the Dominican Republic.
The fulfillment expansion is in conjunction with Village Farms International Grower Relations Supply Development Division and will operate under a new subsidiary, Village Farms DR, SRL.
The new facility, located in Santiago, will include computerized grading machinery, value added packaging capabilities and cold storage. It will offer fully GAP-certified quality assurance consistent with all Village Farms’ Food Safety GFSI programs.
Village Farms is packing sweet bell peppers from the Dominican Republic. In addition, Village Farms will be managing all export logistical services of its packaged branded peppers for distribution into the United States.
Village Farms is committed to building strong partnerships with key growers in the Caribbean region, as it has done for many years in Canada and Mexico, and will provide technical expertise in the areas of variety selection, cost containment, production management, and advanced growing methods.
Village Farms partner hydroponic greenhouse growers are located in the high elevation areas of the Dominican Republic, optimal for bell pepper growing conditions.
“With the proper grower training programs in place, effective packaging and logistics services, and steady guidance, the Caribbean region is poised to become a consistent supplier of hydroponic greenhouse grown sweet bell peppers to the United States,” says Michael Minerva, Village Farms senior vice-president of Grower Relations Supply Development.
Village Farms launched this project to meet its growing customer demand for greenhouse-grown bell peppers.
CEO Michael A. DeGiglio says the company is “on target with expanding our multi-faceted growth plans in North America through our continued efforts in forging new partnerships and alliances that emphasize our overall commitment to our customers of the Village Farms brand.”
ABOUT VILLAGE FARMS
Village Farms is one of the largest producers, marketers and distributors of premium-quality, greenhouse-grown tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers in North America. This premium product as well as premium product produced under exclusive arrangements with other greenhouse producers is grown in sophisticated, highly efficient and intensive agricultural greenhouse facilities located in British Columbia and Texas. Product is marketed and distributed under the Village Farms® brand primarily to retail grocers and dedicated fresh food distributors throughout the United States and Canada.
Village Farms currently operates distribution centres located in key markets in the United States and Canada. Since its inception, Village Farms has been guided by sustainable agricultural principles which integrate four main goals – environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equality.
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