Fun facts about Ontario’s greenhouses

(NC) During the short, grey and cold days of a Canadian winter, greenhouses are one of our main sources of fresh, local, healthy produce. That includes vegetables like cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes and, increasingly, fruit like strawberries. Here are some fun facts you may not know about greenhouses and the fresh produce on your plate.

Fact #1: Ontario is North America’s largest grower of greenhouse produce
That’s right, Ontario is home to the largest cluster of greenhouse growers in North America and the southwestern Ontario town of Leamington is known as the greenhouse capital of Canada because of the many greenhouses in the area.

Fact #2: We produce more than 520 million kilos of greenhouse veggies a year
Last year, Ontario’s greenhouses produced 213 million kilograms of tomatoes, 202 million kilograms of cucumbers and 106 million kilograms of peppers. These fresh veggies are enjoyed by consumers across Canada and in many regions of the United States.

Fact #3: It’s more than just veggies
Ontario’s greenhouses are also starting to grow more than vegetable crops. Greenhouse strawberries are a delicious, local option all year long. Lettuce, microgreens and herbs are also grown under glass – and research is underway into crops like blackberries, raspberries, spinach, okra, and even papaya and peaches to see if they can be grown in Ontario greenhouses.

Fact #4: Greenhouses are international, multi-cultural workplaces
Ontario’s greenhouse workers come from many different countries, such as Jamaica, Mexico, Thailand, Ukraine and the Philippines. Some are here for a few months through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program or stay year-round as part of the federal Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. All have the same goal of earning money they aren’t able to at home.

Once here, they’re paid the same wages as Canadians doing the same work, and year-round greenhouse jobs provide valuable Canadian work-experience for those looking to apply for permanent residency here.

Nataliia Buina and her family came to Canada in 2017 from Ukraine through the TFW program. She got a job as a packer in a tomato greenhouse. Today, she’s responsible for quality control before produce shipments leave the farm, and her family has gained permanent residency in Canada.

Meet more of Ontario’s migrant farm workers at morethanamigrantworker.ca.

Attention Editors: This content is reserved for distribution in Ontario only.