For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 18, 2008

North America’s leading greenhouse operators to deliver highest indoor food production safety and quality standards.

The North American Greenhouse/Hothouse Vegetable Growers (NAGHVG), an association formed after three years of research and review to protect and support superior standards of excellence in food safety and quality, has developed its own certification standards. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, the NAGHVG was founded by leading North American greenhouse growers:

• Windset Farms;
  
  
• Village Farms;
  
  
• Eurofresh Farms;
  
  
• Houweling’s Hot House; and
  
  
• Gipaanda Greenhouses.

Along with the logos of the NAGHVG founders, the "Certified Greenhouse" logo informs consumers and retailers that what they are buying has been produced using the safest possible growing technique – certified greenhouse grown. The NAGHVG certification is also intended to respond to concern within the industry that some vegetables labelled hothouse or greenhouse aren’t grown hydroponically in clean, food safe environments.

In light of recent food safety issues such as the tomato salmonella scare, the NAGHVG wants customers to know that "Certified Greenhouse" vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers are grown indoors according to standards that include food safe, controlled hydroponic production and sustainable indoor growing practices.

Research undertaken over the past three years by the NAGHVG indicates that there are substantial food safety and supply benefits to growing vegetables indoors in "Certified Greenhouse" conditions. Standards include:

• Every aspect of the growing process is monitored and controlled, from irrigation to climate control and growing medium;
  
  
• Vegetables can be protected from pollution, wildlife and other potential contaminants, which creates conditions for the safest produce growing method possible;
  
  
• Eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is used; and
  
  
• Certified greenhouses can provide reliable supply throughout the year.
  
  

The "Certified Greenhouse" program will involve ongoing audits to ensure that certified producers continue to meet the rigorous standards set by the association. Certification will be granted exclusively to greenhouse operations that comply with the following NAGHVG definition of a greenhouse:

• A fully enclosed permanent aluminum or steel structure clad either in glass or impermeable plastic for the controlled environment growing of certified greenhouse/hothouse vegetables;
  
  
• Facility must use computerized irrigation and climate control systems, including heating and ventilation capabilities;
  
  
• Produce must be grown in a soilless medium that substitutes for soil;
  
  
• Must use hydroponic methods; and
  
  
• Must practice Integrated Pest Management.