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Winter Farm raises $46M to build vertical farm dedicated to strawberry production

Winter Farm, the Quebec-based company whose aim is to replace 10 per cent of Canada’s strawberry imports, has announced that it has raised $46 million in an effort to scale up its production. This major milestone was achieved thanks to the renewed commitment from the Quebec Government and Investissement Québec, and the addition of new investors (Desjardins, Farm Credit Canada, Financière Agricole du Québec and Capital Financière Agricole Inc., as well as two private partners).

Winter Farm will use this funding to build one of the world’s most important vertical farm dedicated to strawberry production. The Vaudreuil site will ensure that nearly one million kilograms of succulent Fraise d’hiver strawberries reach the market each year.

In the coming months, six 600 m2 vertical farms will be added to two existing farms already in operation. These installations will allow Winter Farm to produce high quality strawberries year long, right here in Quebec, while using 20 to 25 times less space compared to open field production, recovering 90% of irrigation water used and generating minimal greenhouse gases. In order to realize this project in Vaudreuil, Winter Farm announces the acquisition of Les Serres Vaudreuil, formely owned by the St-Denis family, who will now manage operations and production of Fraise d’hiver strawberries. The family will continue to lend their expertise to local agriculture.

Food autonomy: A collective dream

With its ability to integrate with the greenhouse world and its potential to scale up its indoor growing solution, Winter Farm aims to develop an agro-industrial network of fruit and vegetable production all year long.

An agriculture based on a variety of f production models is essential to increasing sustainable food autonomy in Quebec. We can be proud of being able to rely on an innovative and dynamic agricultural industry. Winter Farm is a good illustration of the creative spirit of our companies. Our government is pleased to support its efforts in providing consumers with healthy local products, year-round.” – André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region.

Fraise d’hiver strawberries are back

As of winter 2022-2023, several new regions throughout Quebec will finally be able to experience the taste of the succulent Fraise d’hiver strawberries Picked when ripe, sweet and without any trace of chemical pesticides, these berries will now have a special spot in consumers shopping carts, all year long Fraise d’hiver strawberries are available  in participating IGA grocery stores.