The future of agriculture is here, and Haven Greens are at the forefront of it.
As Canada’s first fully automated greenhouse, hailing from King City, Ont., Haven Greens has recently expanded to all Calgary Co-op locations.
It marks the first retailer in Western Canada to stock Haven Greens on its shelves.
It also means Calgarians will have first dibs on this extra-crunchy, super fresh and flavourful produce.
These leafy greens were grown in a cutting-edge, fully automated facility that spans five acres and produces 10,000 lbs of lettuce annually.
Choosing local and climate-friendly produce options are front of mind for many Canadian shoppers. Haven Greens are filling in the gaps, providing Calgarians with more choices at the city’s favourite grocery store.
The case for Canadian greens
A whopping 97 per cent of leafy greens consumed by Canadians are imported — mostly from California, Arizona, and Mexico.
Between 2010 and 2019, there were 16 recalls due to E. coli in Canada linked to California-grown romaine lettuce. The outbreaks related to lettuce grown in the U.S. resulted in at least seven deaths in North America, and hundreds of people were sickened or hospitalized.
That experience has led many Canadians to grow weary of purchasing American-grown leaf lettuce. But with limited field-grown options in store due to Canada’s temperate climate, it can feel impossible to source greens that are both local and safe for consumption.
“We believe that every Canadian should have access to clean-grown, Canadian greens — no matter where they live,” said Jay Willmot, CEO and founder of Haven Greens. “While our state-of-the-art greenhouse is located in Ontario, our mission has always been to grow for Canada, not just one region.”
A strong agricultural legacy
It’s no secret that Alberta has long-standing, established roots in Canadian agriculture, with many farmers and their families tilling the fields in and around Alberta.
But our cold climate and extreme weather changes make it difficult for sensitive greens like leaf lettuce to thrive outdoors and in fields.
Haven Greens says its expansion into Western Canada and partnership with Calgary Co-op were the result of local demand.
“From our very first harvest earlier this year in March, we’ve heard from countless Western Canadians who were eager to see our greens on their shelves,” said Willmot. “Their excitement — seeing our greenhouse videos, learning about our technology, and understanding our commitment to freshness and sustainability — made it clear there was a strong appetite for truly Canadian-grown options in the West.”
Haven Greens have old ties to the agriculture industry, with Willmot representing the next generation in a 55-year family farming legacy.
An appetite for sustainability
Sustainability is at the core of Haven Greens’ operations, with a greenhouse fueled by solar energy that reduces operating emissions.
“We’re currently on track to reach net-zero operations by 2027,” said Willmot. “We have initiatives like aiming for a 99 per cent water reuse rate, which allows us to use up to 90 per cent less water than field-grown crops.”
Haven Greens are grown in an indoor, touchless, fully automated, climate-controlled, and pesticide-free greenhouse. They are protected from outdoor weather fluctuations and crop contaminants, which gives Calgarians the option to enjoy them all year round.
“By bringing Haven Greens to Calgary, we’re hoping to raise greater awareness of domestic produce and the benefits of indoor agriculture more generally,” continued Willmot.
A fresh new look in the produce aisle
With soaring grocery costs and a growing buy-Canadian movement impacting Calgary shoppers, it’s great timing for families looking to support local and buy fresh.
Co-op shoppers can feel good about purchasing these colourful packs of greens that are safe to consume and grown in a touchless facility.
Haven Greens aren’t stopping anytime soon. They have plans to expand throughout Alberta, which means you might see them popping up in grocery stores from Strathmore to Fort Mac.
“We’d love to continue expanding throughout Alberta,” said Willmot. “We’re able to produce a consistent supply of clean, flavourful greens year-round, and the idea of bringing that freshness to more Albertans is truly exciting for us.”
So if you see a pop of colour in the produce section, don’t be alarmed. You can rest easy knowing these crunchy, flavourful baby greens are good for both you and the planet.
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Em Medland-Marchen
Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, their dogs Bandit and Stanley, and walks along the Bow River.
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