Sollum Technologies announces that Allegro Acres, located in Kingsville, Ont., harvested the first greenhouse crop of winter-produced peppers using LED lighting technology in Canada.
In collaboration with the Harrow Research Center of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and with the support of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), the announcement attests to the benefits of our unique smart lighting solution and its application on a large scale, Sollum says.
Red, yellow and orange commercial grade peppers were seeded in October and harvested in December, then shipped to grocery stores. 90% of the peppers from this first harvest were extra-large.
For Gene Ingratta, president of Allegro Acres, Sollum’s technology definitely contributed to a successful winter crop from the get-go.
“Sollum’s smart LED technology has been very reassuring and comforting throughout the process because we know that every day, when we wake up, we can now control everything that’s going on in our greenhouse. We don’t have to worry if the sun is going to come out or not. It’s now sunny every day, and we can adjust the greenhouses’ lighting in real-time as climate conditions change during the day.”
At a time when awareness of sustainable agricultural practices is on the rise, Leah Lawrence, SDTC president and CEO noted that: “The results of this initiative are an excellent example of cleantech innovation and its application in sustainable agricultural practices and the creation of local and ethical economies. SDTC is proud to invest in a company like Sollum, using innovative technologies to advance local food sustainability.”
Sollum Technologies’ President and CEO Louis Brun agreed that the results at Allegro Acres bode well for the future of local food production in greenhouses around the world.
“This Canadian first with Allegro Acres is great milestone for the greenhouse industry and confirms the commercial potential of our smart LED solution,” he said. “Harvesting high-quality greenhouse peppers in winter and on such a large scale is a stepping-stone on which we can build to develop additional light recipes for increasingly diverse crops.”
In charge of marketing these peppers, Red Sun Farms Director of Marketing and Packaging Leona Neill added that, “this successful crop will grab the attention of consumers looking for sustainable produce grown locally all year-round. It is a winning proposition for the entire food chain as it contributes to food autonomy and local economies, thanks to diversified and sustainable crops cultivated in greenhouses.”
“As consumers around the world continue to seek more environmentally friendly and sustainable products, Canadian entrepreneurs like Sollum Technologies are stepping up to find intelligent new solutions that improve our quality of life and even the food we eat,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
