Everyone has seen the reports on television of tainted produce that has made people sick. We worry even more because we are often advised to eat our vegetables raw for the maximum nutritional impact. How can we make sure the produce we eat is safe? Simple. We can grow in safe greenhouses in an indoor controlled environment with a Hydroperfect® growing system.
Hydroperfect® practices grow the safest produce you can buy. Here’s how.
No Dirt
Hydroperfect® plants are grown in a sterile medium; eliminating dirt—and the microorganisms it carries. Without dirt, plants cannot get soil-born diseases, cannot be invaded by grubs or other soil-based insects, and cannot absorb toxins and bacteria found in soil.
No Pests
Village Farms embraces an intensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses beneficial insects to control pests and stimulate healthy plant growth. Outdoors, plants are more vulnerable to various types of diseases and insects whereas in a controlled environment we have the ability to keep a lot of these pressures at bay. In our enclosed greenhouses we are able to use biological controls which are extremely difficult to use in an outdoors fully exposed environment. By using our Hydroperfect® growing methods we are able to keep our plants healthy by using bees for pollination and beneficial predator insects as well as, sanitary conditions to combat bad insects.
No Animal Waste Fertilizers
Hydroperfect® plants are fed by nutrient-rich water that gives them everything they need. The plants are not in contact with fields where runoff from animals can carry bacteria. So no chemical residues or bacteria from animals, like deadly E. coli, can ever reach a Village Farms plant. Since we do not use animal fertilizers, our produce cannot be labeled "organically grown." However, we believe that our Hydroperfect® growing process is superior to organic growing. Controlling indoor conditions allows us to create the optimal environment for growing, and therefore produce a better looking, longer-lasting product with equal taste to organic produce, but a much lower risk of contamination.
No Disease
Field-grown produce is exposed to disease-causing agents found in nature and uncontrollable factors like weather that negatively impact vegetable quality. Hydroperfect® produce faces no such challenges. By eliminating the dirt, the pests, and the foraging animals, Village Farms has created the perfect environment for the plants to flourish, unaffected by many of the diseases that plague their field-grown counterparts. Workers prune and maintain plants regularly, adhering to the strictest dress code and hygiene standards. Each year, every greenhouse is completely cleaned out and disinfected to start a new growing cycle and safeguard against plants and disease.
No Acid Rain or Tainted Runoff
Hydroperfect® produce is protected from the rain that carries pollutants and the runoff that can carry bacteria. Each Village Farms plant is individually nourished by a nutrient-rich water that delivers all the necessary vitamins and minerals for that plant to thrive. We adjust this mix depending on the season and the growth stage of the plant, ensuring it gets exactly what it needs to bear delicious fruit. The plants aren’t subject to the variations in nutrient availability that occur in the wild, nor are they absorbing pollutants or bacteria from the soil or animal waste.
No Nasty Weather
Village Farms produce is grown in expansive glass greenhouses. Rows and rows of beautiful plants create an indoor garden safe from the harsh elements. When the weather is beautiful, the sun warms the plants, driving the photosynthesis engine that makes them grow tall and loaded with fruit. Our carefully designed climate system replicates the best natural growing conditions where temperature, humidity and light are just right to create delicious vegetables. When the weather is bad, the structure protects the fruit from damage that causes bruises, marks, and nicks. Even more important, weather cannot destroy the entire crop, one of the main factors that causes produce prices to rise. Therefore, hydroponic produce prices remain stable and a predictable part of your food-buying budget.
Independent Food Safety Monitoring
Village Farms maintains the highest documented Primus Food Safety scores in the industry. Our test results are available on request.
Village Farms dedication to environmental sustainability shows in the quality, nutritious produce it grows! To learn more click on the links below:
Hydroponic Produce Benefits For the Environment
Hydroponic Produce Benefits For Food Safety
Hydroponic Produce Benefits For Nutrition and Health
Sustainable Growing Practices
Food Safety/GAP