Mucci Farms plans major expansion in Canada and US

"Demand for greenhouse grown produce is growing rapidly as consumers continue to put pressure on the food industry to prioritize food safety, sustainability, responsible growing practices, and clean growing environments," says Bert Mucci, Chief Executive Officer at Mucci Farms.

The first year of expansions include bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and the company's award-winning strawberries that are grown in the largest controlled climate strawberry farm in North America.

"Our berry program has been a big success, and we believe it's because of the quality and flavor we are able to provide through a clean growing environment, sustainable growing practices, and our proximity to market," says Joe Spano, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Mucci Farms. "Since we aren't importing from California or Florida, we can maximize sugars by allowing product to be fully ripe before we harvest."

The second year will focus exclusively on bell peppers, with a 100-acre expansion to accommodate a growing need for supply in the category, which is being done through expansion as well as technology.

"We have seen a strong rise in demand for locally grown peppers in recent years and expanding our own supply reduces our reliance on partner growers and imports," Mucci says. "We are currently trialing lit culture grow lights for our pepper program, which will be a game changer that allows us to grow local peppers 365 days a year."

Here's a closer look at the expansion breakdown by acreage and commodity:

• 25 acres of tomatoes on-the-vine in Huron, OH, the third and final phase of the 75-acre project.
• 30 acres of multiple varieties of bell peppers in Kingsville.
• 36 acres of Smuccies Sweet strawberries in Kingsville, doubling the current acreage to a total of 72 acres.
• 15 acres of mini-cocktail cucumbers, branded as CuteCumber Poppers.
• 100 acres of multiple varieties of bell peppers at a new site in Kingsvill,e with construction beginning in 2022.
  
  

This past June, Mucci also announced the addition of two new warehouse facilities in Romulus, MI, and San Antonio, TX, that will serve as warehouses, distributions centers, and cross docks to increase efficiencies and expand the regions they can service. Both facilities will be ready in 2021.

Photo: Mucci Farms

Source and Photo Courtesy of Greenhouse Grower

Source: Greenhouse Grower