Windset Farms continues strong product, packaging investments for organics

Windset Farms continues to develop its array of greenhouse-grown organics—now including several varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers.

“We've increased our organic product offerings significantly over the past eight years,” said Ryan Cherry, Director of Sales at Windset Farms. “This is a testament to the growing demand for high-quality organics in retail space.”

The grower, in business since 1996, ships premium organic tomatoes, peppers and specialty produce around the world—all grown under glass in Delta, British Columbia or Santa Maria, California. As a leader in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in North America, Windset Farms operates more than 2,500 acres of high-tech greenhouses. The company estimates its facilities are equivalent to 50,000 acres of field farming.

Each plant begins as a tiny, non-GMO seedling before maturing in Windset’s high-tech facilities. Windset’s greenhouses use green waste composting, recirculated irrigation water and thermal screens for heat retention.

Summer flavors

While the company began its organic venture with long English cucumbers in 2017, Windset Farms now provides a variety of summer produce favorites. Windset continues to offer organic long English cucumbers and mini cucumbers, alongside organic bell peppers and mini peppers. Living organic basil is offered exclusively in the summer months.

Windset Farms also grows six sizes of organic tomatoes, including Roma, grape, Campari and tomatoes-on-the-vine. New to the organic lineup are the in-demand organic beefsteak tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes.

“We are thrilled to have added these SKUs to our lineup of organics, to meet the growing demand,” Cherry said. “This is a testament to Windset Farms’ commitment to meet the consumer needs and continue evolving and growing their program offerings.”

Packaging for the future

Attendees to the upcoming Organic Produce Summit will meet Windset Farms, a first-time exhibitor at the event. Windset is debuting its rebranded, award-winning organics packaging at OPS after it won the Best Organics award at the Canadian Produce Marketing Associations Convention and Tradeshow last April.

The new eco-friendly packaging is made of 100% recyclable ECO Paper Packs, maintaining Windset Farms’ commitment to sustainability. This change includes both paper punnets and paper lids.

In addition to the recyclable packaging, the refreshed branding features earth-toned colors and Lily the Ladybug—a symbol celebrating the company’s belief in the “good bugs” they employ in an integrated pest management system. These new designs will now adorn the company’s lidding films, pouch bags and clamshells.

Windset Farms’ branding has always melded the company’s dual passions: nature and music. The new packaging continues this unique tradition, with products like the Symphony Ensemble tomato medley, Concerto grape tomatoes and Fresco cucumbers.

Other sustainable packaging options offered by Windset include monolayer LDPE bags. The company says this change results in 20% less plastic than its previous pack style, reducing plastic consumption by 100,000 pounds each year.

“The packaging will not only reflect our sustainable growing practices but also stay true to our art and music theme, a testament to our commitment to the environment and creativity,” Cherry said.