Greenhouse fruits and vegetables: a good way to eat fresh and local

IGA is proud to offer fresh fruits and vegetables of exceptional quality, grown by passionate producers, right here in Quebec. Thanks to exclusive relationships with various farmers from all over the province, we can offer a variety of local fresh products, year round.

Discover the fascinating world of greenhouses: its benefits, producers, and all the delicious fruits and vegetables they produce, as well as the best way to store them.

What is greenhouse cultivation?

Greenhouse cultivation consists of growing fruits and vegetables inside glass or plastic installations with a ventilation, heating, and irrigation system. It combines all the best conditions to ensure optimal plant growth.

In 2018, the MAPAQ counted some 468 greenhouses across Quebec, producing primarily tomatoes, followed by cucumber, lettuce, and peppers. Given the growing demand for fruits and vegetables from Quebec, dedicated producers work hard to put more and more new products on the market, including heirloom tomatoes from Ferme Dominic Lussier, proudly offered at IGA!

Three main benefits of greenhouse cultivation:

Plants are protected from the cold and other weather conditions.
Fresh fruits and vegetables can be cultivated year round.
Performance and quality are proportionally higher than field cultivation.

A fresh, local, and accessible option

In the context of food independence, greenhouse cultivation is increasingly becoming a plausible solution for fresh fruits and vegetables all year long. You can stock up without having to go far, all while supporting the local economy.
Greenhouses also come with other benefits:

Fewer pesticides: The carefully controlled environment of greenhouse cultivation allows producers to reduce their use of pesticides. Many of them have joined in the movement of greener cultivation to ensure their practices are in line with sustainable development.
Organic products: Did you know that one third of greenhouse cultivation of fruits and vegetables is certified organic? Greenhouses make it easier to control their organic productions and ensure the traceability of their products (according to the most recent MAPAQ data).
Variety: Greenhouse cultivation allows for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, from the most common to the most exotic. As early as January, you have access to mini seedless cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens. Production continues with different coloured peppers in April, followed by lettuce and radishes. There’s a variety of fresh, local products to add to your shopping cart!
A forward-looking industry: Greenhouse producers in Quebec care about the environment and sustainable development. That is why they are constantly seeking to use renewable energy sources, such as electricity, geothermal energy, or biomass, to heat their facilities. They also turn to environmentally-friendly techniques, like using other insects, to fend off parasites. Lastly, they make efforts every day to reduce their water consumption and waste production while maximizing their performance (according to the Canadian Horticultural Council).

Support our local producers

Greenhouse producers of fruits and vegetables in Quebec do everything they can to offer a great variety of quality products. We are proud to introduce you to a few of them here:

Discover three Quebec greenhouses and their products, available exclusively at IGA

Ferme Dominic Lussier: Run by a dynamic young couple, this St-Damasse farm specializes in the production of heirloom tomatoes. Dominic and Judith Lussier took over the family farm in 2012, and have since been working to grow perfect quality tomatoes that are plump and filled with flavour. Their fruits ripen directly on the plant for even more pronounced flavours. The tomatoes are also grown without the use of pesticides and with great concern for the environment.

Jardins A. Guérin: For 50 years now, Jardins A. Guérin, located in Sherrington, has been growing a variety of vegetables. Recently, the company diversified its greenhouse production with excellent organic radishes, available at IGA during the colder season. For this producer, it’s a great sense of pride to be able to offer fresh Quebec-grown radishes all year long.

Serres Toundra: One of the largest greenhouse complexes in Quebec and equipped with cutting-edge technology, Serres Toundra, located in Saint-Félicien, specializes in the production of cucumbers. They harvest cucumbers 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In fact, they harvest over 100,000 cucumbers per day and are entirely self-sufficient!

Discover a few other local greenhouses with products available at IGA

Hydroserre Mirabel: Specialized in the production of hydroponic Boston lettuce, this company also cultivates other specialty lettuces, such as mache and watercress. All their lettuces are harvested year-round and are tender and fresh. The company’s goal is to innovate in their field in order to offer even more local products and help ensure greater food independence here in Quebec.

Savoura: Founded in Quebec in 1995, this company is known for their succulent tomatoes, grown conventionally and organically. Today, the company produces approximately 16 million kilos of tomatoes annually on nine different production sites across the province. Recently, Savoura added organic strawberries and cucumbers to their service offering. Always on the lookout for new projects, this producer wants to expand their installations, break into new US markets, and invest even more in organic cultivation. Currently, 35% of the company’s cultivated goods are certified organic, making them one of the largest organic greenhouses in all of North America.

Preserving fruits and vegetables

Here are a few tips and tricks for keeping your fruits and vegetables fresher, longer, thus avoiding any food waste.

Radishes: “To preserve radishes as long as possible, it is recommended that you cut the leaves as soon as possible. A radish’s leaf drains the bulb of its energy and nutrients,” explains Pascal Guérin of Jardins A. Guérin. You can use the leaves in recipes, just like you would spinach!

Tomatoes: Tomatoes retain their flavour and texture best if not stored in the fridge. Keep them at room temperature, away from the sun. However, tomatoes that have already been sliced should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container and consumed the following day.

Cucumbers: Keep your cucumbers in your fridge’s crisper drawer and they’ll last up to a week. A good tip when choosing cucumbers: smaller cucumbers contain fewer seeds and are more flavourful.

Lettuce: A good tip for making sure your lettuce leaves stay crisp and fresh? Once washed and spun, keep them in the basket part of your salad spinner, top on. It’s as simple as that!

Strawberries: Two options are possible when it comes to keeping these berries fresh and juicy for as long as possible. 1) Store them in the fridge and they’ll keep for 2 to 3 days. Take them out of the fridge 1 hour prior to consuming them, for optimal flavour. 2) Wash and de-stem them, place them on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a large freezer bag and you’ll have fresh strawberries on-hand for the next six months!

Our products

Radishes

Red, white, pink, or purple... Quebec greenhouse-grown radishes are delicious year-round! Add them to your salads, use them as garnish for your gazpacho, or try grilling them for a more subtle flavour. The family-run business Jardins A Guérin & fils is proud to be the only producer to offer fresh, organic radishes all year long.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

Heirloom tomatoes have a unique taste and imperfect appearance. Having gained in popularity these past few years, these tomatoes are loved by consumers for their robust, sweet flavour. They are less acid than regular tomatoes. Look out for their arrival in grocery stores in May, and discover the savoury varieties cultivated by Ferme Dominic Lussier.