Red Sun Farms Is a Leader in Sustainable Agriculture

Red Sun Farms, one of the largest multinational, vertically integrated, and high-tech greenhouse-growing operations in North America, offers a variety of organic items, including tomatoes on the vine, grape tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, mini cucumbers, and English cucumbers.

“The benefit of greenhouse grown, whether conventional or organic, is that it is grown in a controlled environment, limiting exposure to external factors,” said Carlos Visconti, CEO of the Kingsville, ON-based company. “Our greenhouses follow strict food safety standards and practices to ensure the very best produce for both conventional and organic consumers.”  

Carlos Visconti, CEO, Red Sun Farms

Red Sun Farms was created through the shared vision and passion of the company’s teams in Mexico and Canada.

“Both groups were committed to selling the very best high-tech greenhouse peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers but knew they needed to provide their customers with a year-round supply,” Visconti said. “Together the leadership team at Red Sun Farms built a vertically integrated business model that ensures quality, food safety, flavor, and supply throughout the year.”

This vision has resulted in farms in Mexico, the US, and Canada, with distribution centers throughout to support today’s demand.

“Both [of the company’s teams in Mexico and Canada] were committed to selling the very best high-tech greenhouse peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers but knew they needed to provide their customers with a year-round supply.” - Carlos Visconti  

“Although the volume and high-tech greenhouse acreage have increased over the years, our commitment to quality, flavor, and year-round supply continues to be a priority,” Visconti said. “Red Sun Farms has dedicated acreage to maximize our organic produce in support of the consumer demand for more natural products. At this time, we are at full capacity for our organic-designated acreage.”

While the produce industry faces ongoing challenges related to the cost of operations, material supplies, and labor (trends that began during the pandemic), Red Sun Farms plans to continue overcoming these challenges in 2023. 

Red Sun Farms' organic grape tomatoes

“The team has used this opportunity to identify efficiencies through technology and automation as well as innovation through better-yielding varieties and streamlining our processes,” Visconti said. “These changes are big steps and take time to implement, but they are long-term improvements that will ensure our operations continue to survive in future markets.”

In 2023, the company sees opportunities in the areas of investing in sustainability, technology, and innovation at the greenhouse level. 

“Red Sun Farms has dedicated acreage to maximize our organic produce in support of the consumer demand for more natural products. At this time, we are at full capacity for our organic-designated acreage.” - Carlos Visconti 

“This investment is critical in meeting customer demands and to ensure that we deliver our commitment of year-round availability,” Visconti said.

As far as innovation and technology goes, Red Sun Farms’ teams are working with technology providers to improve growing conditions via light technology and investing in innovations to automate operations, including packing lines and greenhouse misting systems.

Visconti added that Red Sun Farms is a proud industry leader in sustainable agriculture and also works closely with packaging suppliers to develop new and sustainable options. 

As far as innovation and technology goes, Red Sun Farms’ teams are working with technology providers to improve growing conditions via light technology and investing in innovations to automate operations, including packing lines and greenhouse misting systems.

“Our farms have been utilizing sustainable practices in water recycling, yield optimization, and minimizing food waste,” Visconti said. “Over the last 6-7 years, the team has also challenged our packaging suppliers to push sustainable technology, resulting in the commercialization of recyclable bags and films, increased recycle content in clamshells, fiber punnets, compostable PLUs, and labels with washable adhesives.”

Visconti believes there is still much more opportunity for sustainable improvements through technology and looks forward to working with suppliers in bringing better solutions to all consumers.

Red Sun Farms' organic mini cucumbers

“Our team also utilizes social media as a communication tool to share growing practices, produce handling tips, and to inspire healthy consumption in support of nutritional goals,” Visconti said. “The organic crops are aligned to our current customer demands. When the acreage grows, our team will work diligently to deliver new products and flavors that will delight our [consumers'] senses, creating new and exciting veggie experiences.”

“Over the last 6-7 years, the team has also challenged our packaging suppliers to push sustainable technology, resulting in the commercialization of recyclable bags and films, increased recycle content in clamshells, fiber punnets, compostable PLUs, and labels with washable adhesives.” - Carlos Visconti

“Our unique business model means we own and control every aspect of the process from seed selection through delivery to our retail partners, 12 months per year,” Visconti said. “We are an exceptional group of like-minded owners, growers, and service professionals, unparalleled in the greenhouse industry today. Our vertical integration closes the gap between grower, retailer, and consumer.”

Red Sun Farms is committed to investing in its continued growth, and the company will be sharing more about its future plans in the coming months.

“There are a lot of great plans in the works at Red Sun Farms, and we look forward to sharing those details as soon as we can,” Visconti said.