VANCOUVER, B.C. - Village Farms International Inc. has reached an exclusive agreement with Great Northern Hydroponics, giving both companies an opportunity for growth and expansion.

“We are happy to be able to extend our exclusive specialty tomatoes varieties with additional production capacity,” Michael A. DeGiglio, President & CEO of Village Farms, said, according to a press release. “This allows us to expand our entire product line into the Ontario market, eastern Canada, as well as the midwest and eastern United States to both existing customers and new customers. The integration of our facilities will provide for better nationwide customer service, local product and a reduction in food miles. Village Farms will start to offer the new product volume to its customers beginning later this year.”

Great Northern is located in Kingsville, Ontario, and is reportedly one of the only greenhouse vegetable growers in the area that produces locally-grown production year-round, using supplemental lighting during the winter months.

“Although we have worked with growers in Kingsville-Leamington for over 25 years, this is our first distribution agreement in the Kingsville-Leamington area and we are very excited about the future possibilities for both organizations,” DeGiglio commented.

Guido van het Hof, President of Great Northern, also reportedly expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity this partnership would present for Great Northern.

“This is a great opportunity for Great Northern to expand its product lines through the exclusive varieties provided by Village Farms,” van het Hof stated in the release.

The Great Northern President also added that the company has known and followed Village Farms, and is excited to be able to provide its production to their customer base.