MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC, CANADA - Wielding its impressive LED lighting solution, Sollum Technologies is helping yet another produce supplier elevate their operations to achieve higher yields and energy efficiency. Indoor strawberry grower Vertiberry has chosen the company’s LED lighting solution for its new facility in L’Assomption, Québec, which is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

“We are proud to collaborate with Vertiberry on this project and support their goal of advancing sustainable strawberry production in Québec,” said Louis Brun, Chief Executive Officer and President at Sollum Technologies. “Working hand-in-hand with Vertiberry’s team, we will leverage the full potential of our dynamic LED lighting solution, adapting to the specific needs of crops at each growing stage and ensuring Vertiberry achieves the best possible outcomes.”

According to a press release, the new indoor/TCEA facility will serve as a test bed for Vertiberry’s innovative growing methods, which include both strawberry propagation and production.

Sollum’s advanced LED lighting system provides precise control over light intensity, spectrum, and timing. By working closely with Vertiberry, Sollum ensures that the lighting solution supports their unique cultivation methods, resulting in higher yields and energy efficiency, the release added.

“Our team is excited to partner with Sollum. We came to the conclusion that their dynamic lighting solution appears to be the most optimal to address our complex needs,” said Olivier Paulus, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Vertiberry. “Sollum's superior understanding of light's role in plant development, combined with the team’s flexibility in addressing challenges to ensure our success, made them the ideal partner for our new facility.”

Vertiberry’s partnership with Sollum demonstrates the strawberry supplier’s dedication to producing high-quality, pesticide-free strawberries year-round in a 100 percent controlled environment.

As more companies optimize this innovative lighting solution to spark company growth, ANUK will be here to report, so stay tuned.

BELLEVUE, WA - One month from today, T&T Supermarket will host the grand opening of its flagship United States store at The Marketplace at Factoria in Washington State. Spanning an impressive 76,000 square feet, this will be the largest Asian supermarket in the state of Washington.

"We're incredibly excited to open our doors in Bellevue and introduce U.S. shoppers to the T&T experience," said Tina Lee, Chief Executive Officer. "From our fresh kitchen dishes to our one-of-a-kind bakery and exclusive private-label items, we aim to bring the rich flavors of Asia directly to the community. We want to be the go-to destination not only for Asian families but for anyone eager to explore new culinary traditions in the Pacific Northwest."

Since its founding in 1993, T&T has established itself as a go-to destination for Asian food lovers across Canada. With over 35 locations in Canada, T&T is making its highly anticipated debut in the U.S., bringing its unique culinary offerings and signature products to Bellevue.

To celebrate the grand opening, T&T Supermarket will host cultural performances and offer exciting giveaways. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for T&T's Rewards Program on the T&T App.

According to a press release, the T&T Bellevue store will feature a diverse range of food options and services:

• Restaurant-Quality Food at Supermarket Prices: Customers can enjoy a self-serve hot food bar featuring authentic Asian dishes
• Made-to-Order Street Food: Savor the flavors of Asia with freshly made Chinese crepes and Taiwanese-style rice rolls
• Bakery Delights: T&T bakery offers over 150 varieties of freshly baked bread and 50+ desserts and pastries
• Exclusive Asian Spirits: Explore a selection of over 750 types of wine and spirits, specializing in Korean soju and Japanese sake
• T&T Private Label Products: Shoppers can enjoy over 200 T&T Private Label products
• Holiday Gifting Made Easy: As the holidays approach, T&T will offer a curated selection of items perfect for every family member

Where will T&T expand to next? You’ll have to stick with us to find out.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Global Produce & Floral Show may be well over, but its impact is still being felt in the Atlanta, Georgia, community. Following this year’s highly attended show, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) donated 226,735 lbs of produce and 8,575 lbs of floral in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, a member of the Feeding America® network.

“We want to ensure our show is as sustainable as possible and being good stewards of our fresh product—both produce and floral—is a critical part of those efforts,” said Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns. “We have been working with the Feeding America network of food banks since 1983 to help rescue and distribute product from the Expo. We celebrate the industry’s generosity in donating their product, and we cannot thank the Atlanta Community Food Bank and their volunteers enough for helping us to ensure that all rescuable produce and floral are able to reach the families in the Atlanta community.”

As a press release shared, this year’s rescued produce was distributed across the 29 counties served by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and fruit and other shelf-stable items were also distributed to the Augusta Food Bank, which suffered damage during the recent hurricanes.

Over the past two decades, IFPA has helped contribute more than 5 million lbs of produce to food banks in the cities that hosted its annual Global Produce & Floral Show. Volunteers organized by the partner food banks enter the show floor each year to rescue and pack the produce and floral donations for transportation.

In addition to the hefty produce donation, this year’s floral donations were received by The Little Flower Group, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, more than 25 local nursing homes, religious institutions, Georgia Tech, nonprofits supporting single mothers, Girl Scouts troops, Nourish Botanica, and more. Floral exhibitors also donated 4 tons of green waste, which went to composting for neighborhood gardens.

“There are not a lot of organizations ready to receive over 8000 lbs of floral donations,” said Director of Trade Shows Kyle McMillan. “This year, we were absolutely blown away by the generosity of our floral exhibitors, but also the enthusiasm from our local partners who helped us be more sustainable than ever before by extending the life and use of our show’s floral and produce. The work our partners do for their communities is so important, we’re thrilled to help them celebrate and appreciate their neighbors and members.”

Read more about the donation here.

Continuing its impact, the Global Produce & Floral Show will return to Anaheim, California, in 2025 and will return to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2027. Until then, keep reading ANUK!