“Salanova® lettuce is unique in the marketplace”

CEO and owner Great Lakes Growers, John Bonner

Cleanest produce possible

John’s roots as a grower run deep. After growing up and farming on the family farm in Burton, he left it to start a new hydroponic growing operation. Today, Great Lakes Growers is the Midwest’s premier supplier of hydroponic lettuces and herbs to the retail and foodservice channels. Its products are delicious, clean, nutrition-packed and ultra-fresh, because they go from the greenhouse to the store shelves or customers’ plates in less than 48 hours. “We believe the quality of hydroponically grown produce is superior. We grow everything in our state-of-the-art greenhouse using water, not soil. That ensures the cleanest produce possible,” states John.

‘Freshly forward’ with Salanova

Rijk Zwaan’s one-cut-ready Salanova lettuce is one of the grower’s critical success factors. John explains how it moves his business ‘freshly forward’: “We find that the Salanova varieties are unique in the marketplace relative to other varieties. We like them for the uniformity, colour and simplicity of cultivation. Their flavour and texture also set them apart from the rest. They look and taste great. That type of combination changes consumer behaviour over time.”

Continuing to innovate and communicate

For the future, he regards Romaine and iceberg lettuce as the next evolution for greenhouse growing in his market. “Rijk Zwaan can support me with this next hurdle by continuing to innovate and communicate, just as we have been collaborating for over ten years: trialling new varieties, sharing the data, discussing new technologies, and troubleshooting problems when they arise. The partnership with Rijk Zwaan over the years has been one of the single most important factors in the success of Great Lakes Growers. My customers value it just as much as I do,” John concludes.

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