Sole source of lettuce for Canadian restaurants

Whole Leaf produces millions of heads of lettuce every year in an 11-acre greenhouse facility in Coaldale, east of Lethbridge. The greenhouse's fresh produce — Inspired Leaves, Inspired Greens and Inspired Go products — can be purchased at grocery stores, but Wendy's has chosen Whole Leaf as the sole source of its lettuce, the quick-service restaurant chain announced Tuesday.

"This is a really unique deal. We have fantastic partners with Wendy's. They've provided us guidance and coaching in terms of developing this program to make sure we are setting a really high bar for quality, taste and consumer experience. Their knowledge and their background has been invaluable for our growing and processing teams," Rindi Bristol, senior director of sales at Whole Leaf, said Tuesday.

"It's been a complete switch from U.S. products to Canadian and greenhouse products."

Just over one year ago, Whole Leaf expanded its facility from five acres to 11 acres and, in partnering with Wendy's, has hired more workers in southern Alberta at the greenhouse and in Calgary at the processing facility. Around this time of the year, Whole Leaf is harvesting about 60,000 heads of lettuce per day and pull more than 16 million heads of lettuce annually.

"The unique function of greenhouse lettuce is that we're able to provide something that is local, Canadian produced, really clean and tastes great, and we're able to supply that 365 days a year because we are protected agriculture. So, you can always get our lettuce whether it's at Wendy's or at your local grocers year-round," said Bristol.

"This partnership is a great economic development in southern Alberta and in Calgary as well. We're excited to be able to employ more people right here in Alberta."

Š Supplied/Postmedia Calgary Wendy's is now sourcing all its lettuce from Whole Leaf greenhouse in Coaldale, Alta.

The greenhouse is a dedicated green-producer of lettuce, using no pesticides, consuming up to 90 per cent less water than field-grown lettuce and reducing its emissions by capturing waste heat and carbon dioxide, which allows the company to be completely self-sufficient for electricity and heating. The lettuce is also grown in Canadian-sourced peat.

"We are excited to see the future of the quick-serve restaurant industry and how partnerships like this can make sure we're supplying consumers with great tasting products, clean and safe products, products that are sustainable, and products that are also produced in Canada because it's so important to support local growers in all facets," said Bristol.

Lisa Deletroz, senior director of marketing at Wendy's Canada, said in a statement that Wendy's is excited about the partnership with Whole Leaf. Wendy's previously introduced greenhouse-grown tomatoes to its menu in 2018.

"From Day 1, Wendy's has been all about quality and freshness, and that commitment continues today with products like greenhouse-grown lettuce, and by partnering with innovative produce suppliers such as Whole Leaf who are raising the bar on taste, quality and sustainability," said Deletroz.

"Importantly, this transition enables Wendy's to further support Canadian producers and the Canadian economy, while offering supply predictability and consistency . . . We are encouraged by these social and environmental sustainability benefits we expect to see as a result of this new Canadian lettuce sourcing strategy, including the inherent benefits of indoor working conditions."

sbabych@postmedia.com

Twitter: @BabychStephanie

Source: Msn News
Photo Supplied/Postmedia Calgary

Source: Msn News