Thursday, 22 November 2018 07:16 PM
Did You Know that Approximately 90% of the Table Tomatoes We Eat are Imported? Tomatoes Transported from Mexico and Even as far as Israel Cannot be Picked Ripe; that Impacts Their Flavour and Nutrition.
DAUPHIN, MB / ACCESSWIRE / November 22, 2018 / Vermillion Growers, a women-led, family run company out of Manitoba want to change Canada's food sovereignty and food quality by building Manitoba's first large-scale greenhouse to grow local, delicious, ripe tomatoes that can be in stores within the day. Canadians deserve fresh, ripe, locally grown produce on our grocer's shelves – it's better for our health and our sovereignty. Vermillion Growers is on a mission to make that happen.
Maria Deschauer, Vermillion Grower's Managing Director commented, "We want to make a stand for the humble tomato. In North America, we each eat 16 lbs of table tomatoes every year, and just like the French's vs Heinz debate last year, tomato sovereignty is important to Canadians. We can grow tomatoes on the vine in Manitoba, and the weather is no obstacle for year-round nutritious, delicious produce. In fact, our high-tech greenhouses benefit from the cool weather as it is easier to heat than cool down, and we can provide complete traceability which is why we say we are growing food, growing people, growing community. That's also why we are opening up the investment to the community, so people can benefit not just from the hundreds of jobs we will create, but also from investing in the business."
Vermillion Growers has partnered with FrontFundr, Canada's largest investment crowdfunding platform, to raise the final sums required to build the 5 acres of greenhouses. Their equity crowdfunding campaign launched on the site today and their first crop is planned before the end of 2019. Canadians passionate about food can invest from $250 on the platform.
Key Data
- An estimated 90% of table tomatoes in Canada are imported. Vermillion Growers aim to displace importers, not existing local growers. Tomatoes are the largest imported greenhouse vegetable commodity.
|
Mexico |
Israel |
|
73, 400 metric tonnes (161,819,300 lbs.) |
38 metric tonnes (83,776 lbs) |
|
|
|
|
The United States |
Spain |
|
10,133 metric tonnes (22,350,464 lbs.) |
33 metric tonnes (72,753 lbs.) |
"Statistical Overview of the Canadian Greenhouse Vegetable Industry 2016"
Report prepared by the Government of Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada November 2017
About Vermillion Growers?
Vermillion Growers will be Manitoba's first large scale greenhouse supplying Central Canada with fresh, local tomatoes and eventually a range of vegetables. Our high-tech greenhouse is designed to benefit from the hot summers while efficiently protecting against the cold winters on the Canadian Prairies. We are a family business led by three generations of women who value growing local to grow the community in Dauphin, Manitoba. Growing Food, Growing People, Growing Community.
For more information, images, video or to arrange an interview contact Victoria Bennett [email protected] (403) 589 7992
Full details of the offering can be found in the Offering Memorandum. This document is for information purposes only. Please consult your finance professional before making an investment.
With images
SOURCE: Vermillion Growers