MONA, UT - Planting season is in full swing at Houweling’s Tomatoes' newly built greenhouse in the state of Utah. As Houweling’s first greenhouse operation in the state, the site excellently complements the grower's greenhouse facilities in Camarillo, CA and Delta, BC.
Chief Marketing Officer David Bell shared with ANUK his expectations for the 28 acre facility, one which he believes will allow Houweling’s to continue to grow its national footprint, portfolio and specialty and proprietary varieties.
“What we are most excited about is our ability to take what is already a successful pairing of programs in California Grown and BC Grown and bring this growth model into the Utah market,” he told ANUK, while elaborating on how Houweling’s extensive brand platform and evolving portfolio offer exciting possibilities for its retail partners.
The patented Ultra Clima semi-closed greenhouse design used at this facility gives Houweling’s the ability to optimize conditions effectively and efficiently, even during times of extreme variations in climate. Furthermore, the site's close proximity to a natural gas powerplant, Rocky Mountain Power, will allow Houweling’s to capitalize on the supply of traditionally wasted heat and CO2 available in the area. This gives Houweling’s the distinct advantage of enjoying power-saving, sustainable year-round growing.
The Utah location also offers Houweling’s exciting possibilities with respect to its continual push towards more sustainable farming practices. There already exists a robust growing economy in Utah concentrated around Salt Lake for the company to take advantage of. Together with strong demand for locally and regionally grown produce, the consumer culture Houweling’s will enjoy in the Beehive State meshes well with its focus on consumer education and sustainable growing.
With a concerted “Utah Grown” marketing effort, Houweling’s will be promoting the wide line of tomato varieties throughout the year, including:
- Specialty beef tomatoes
- Tomatoes on the Vine
- Proprietary Sweetoms grape tomato
- Cocktail tomatoes
- Roma tomatoes
With Houweling’s inaugural harvest expected to begin in early to mid February, business is busy in the company's Utah operations. There certainly seems to be plenty to be excited about, however. Congratulations on this latest expansion, Houweling’s!
