KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO - Mucci Farms announced the completion of Phase 2 of its 36-acre strawberry farm expansion and subsequently announced that Phase 3 construction is underway, with production to begin in the Fall of 2018. The full project will total over 1.5 million-square-feet of high-tech glass exclusively growing strawberries–the largest in North America.
“Our strawberry program is being met with a great deal of enthusiasm from current and potential retail partners because of our emphasis on premium flavor and consistent supply,” explains Danny Mucci, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mucci Farms currently owns over 200 acres of greenhouses, 30 of which grow lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers year-round.
Since partnering with Dutch Growers Tom Bastiaansen and Joost van Oers in January 2016, Mucci Farms has seen accelerated growth and a greater demand for greenhouse grown strawberries. Looking to offer locally grown strawberries during the winter months, Phase 3 of the expansion will include state-of-the-art lit culture technology.
“As with all of our new greenhouses, the new 24-acres of strawberries will also include the use of diffused glass, which reduces stress on plants by providing even sunlight,” says Bert Mucci, CEO. “We will continue to use high pressure fogging systems to cool down the greenhouse in the hotter months and also install the swing gutter system which allow for the amount of maximum plants per square meter.”
Marketed under the Smuccies™ Sweet Strawberries brand, Mucci Farms strawberries are an award-winning triple threat, according to a press release, recognized by multiple industry associations for Best Packaging, Best New Fruit, and Best Kid Centric product. The momentum continued this past weekend at the Product Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Conference & Expo in New Orleans. After being a finalist for three consecutive years in the Sensory Experience Contest, Mucci Farms won the Kids Choice Award for their Smuccies Layered Strawberry & Mango Dip.
“Overwhelming, is the best way I can describe how our Smuccies are being received. Super sweet, clean, on the shelf within 24 hours of harvest, and grown in an environment that is unaffected by inclement weather,” says Joe Spano, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Even better, they are grown locally in Ontario so that consumers can enjoy summer fresh strawberries during the holiday season.”
A ceremonial ribbon cutting to celebrate the first harvest from the Phase 2 expansion will take place at 684 Road 2 East, in Kingsville on Thursday October 26th at 10:30am. Media passes for the ribbon cutting event can be obtained by emailing [email protected]. CEO Bert Mucci, Vice Presidents of Sales and Marketing Danny Mucci, Joe Spano, Vice President of Operations Gianni Mucci, and CFO Mat Walsh will be available for interviews after the ribbon cutting. Media will also be given an opportunity to take photographs of the harvest.
Look for the Award-Winning Greenhouse Grown Smuccies Sweet Strawberries in multiple pack styles availablen in-stores now, and for more produce industry news, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
