Market

People worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and that means it is more flavorful and nutritious. It is also good for the local economy--buying directly from local farm provides jobs and revenue for the local municipalities. Buying local also reduces the use of fossil fuels, and this in turn, increases the profitability through the use of less gasoline/diesel to get the product to market. Lastly, in the past couple of years, each year is met with a new infestation or contamination of commercially produced crops. This has led to the growing movement toward biosecurity for the food supply. Locally grown produce stays out of the standard commercial processing channels and will avoid the contaminations that come from overseas, out of country and poorly managed production.

The organic foods business is the fastest growing segment in US agriculture. Currently the demand for organic foods is 10 times greater than what is being produced. In 2008, this industry produced $23 billion in sales and is estimated to grow at a rate of 18% per year between 2008 and 2010. Fresh fruits and vegetables represent 39% percent of this huge market and are forecast to increase in sales by 83% in the next ten years.

Fresh tomato consumption in the United States has grown from a per capita consumption 12.3 pounds in 1993 to 19.3 pounds in 2003, a 63% growth rate. This growth is attributed to changes in the ethnic mix of the U.S. population and the documented health benefits of the tomato. The demand for fresh tomatoes is year-round with winter production mainly being serviced with tomatoes from Florida and imports from Mexico and Canada. A huge niche is available for greenhouse companies in North America to grow fresh tomatoes during this time of year.