The NORTH AMERICAN GREENHOUSE HOTHOUSE VEGETABLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION
ANNOUNCES
"CERTIFIED GREENHOUSE" PROGRAM
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;
- Certified greenhouses can provide reliable supply throughout the year;
- Eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is used.
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.
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