Top stories from Produce Grower’s website

Great Lakes Growers increasing production capacity to 260,000 square feet

Great Lakes Growers, a hydroponic greenhouse facility that grows leafy greens and herbs in Burton, Ohio has broken ground on another 100,000-square-foot expansion on the heels of a 80,000-square-foot expansion that began a year ago. Once completed, the expansion will increase its growing capacity to 260,000 square feet and bring annual pesticide- and herbicide-free production capacity to 12 million heads annually.

“This most recent expansion project is a real testament to the acceptance of our new fresh cut salad line at retailers across the Midwest and the continued adoption of our food service lines,” said John Bonner, owner and CEO of Great Lakes Growers. “Fresh produce that is grown locally is not a flash in the pan; it is here to stay.”

>> Read the full story at bit.ly/great-lakes-growers-expansion

MightyVine sues Mastronardi Produce over Tiny Mighty Tomatoes

MightyVine is suing a major grower of greenhouse tomatoes over the use of the term “mighty” in its branding.

MightyVine, which grows hydroponic tomatoes in a greenhouse in suburban Rochelle, Illinois, has filed a federal lawsuit against Canadian grower Mastronardi Produce, whose Sunset brand of tomatoes can be found at many U.S. retailers.

The suit alleges Mastronardi’s Tiny Mighty Tomatoes infringe on MightyVine’s trademark because the branding is “confusingly similar” and “trades off the goodwill and brand reputation” of the Rochelle company. MightyVine has held a registered trademark on its name since 2016.

>> Read the full story at bit.ly/mightyvine-mastronardi-suit

Industry organizations praise USMCA being signed

The Produce Marketing Association issued the following statement on Jan. 29 after the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement was signed by President Donald Trump.

“In 2018, fruits and vegetables represented $4.2 billion U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico and vegetables, fruits and nuts totaled around $12 billion in imports from Mexico to the U.S. in the same year. As demand for fresh fruits, vegetables and floral grows, the USMCA is necessary to our industries’ ability to maintain supply,” the statement read.

On the same day, United Fresh issued its own statement attributed to President and CEO Tom Stenzel.

“Today, President Trump signed the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), marking a major milestone for trade among these three close neighbors. As I attended the signing ceremony this morning at the White House, I was reminded that finalizing this agreement has not been easy or without controversy, but is based on compromise and consensus across many views,” Stenzel’s statement said.

>> Read the full story at bit.ly/usmca-industry-reactions