In a natural extension of the close relationship formed over many years, The Star Group and RedHat Cooperative, together with its partner growers, will soon be shipping fresh greenhouse vegetables from
Alberta under a new collaborative multi-year partnership agreement.
A wide range of greenhouse vegetables, including long English cucumbers, mini cucumbers, beefsteak and on the vine tomatoes, living lettuce, peppers and specialty tomatoes will form part of the Big Taste®, Artisanal Growers, Just Picked and RedHat brands. The program expands and elevates both The Star Group and RedHat’s offerings, delivering high quality and great flavour in familiar and trusted brands. This expansion also further solidifies year-round greenhouse production from both Canada and Mexico.
‘The RedHat Cooperative was founded by ten growers in 1966, drawn to the sun and great growing conditions of Southern Alberta,’ said Doyle Brandt, Chairman of the Board for the Red Hat Cooperative. ‘Our brand is well known across multiple grocery aisles but mainly in Western Canada. The partnership with The Star Group allows us to retain our cooperative model while bringing many synergies that will allow us to further expand our scope and sales into the USA.’
Aerial photo of Big Marble Farms Greenhouse. It is a 35-acre greenhouse, all of which is under lights. They grow Long English Cucumbers and Mini Cucumbers.
The partnership with RedHat bolsters The Star Group’s strategic push in the greenhouse category, according to Colin Chapdelaine, President of BC Hot House Foods. ‘We are excited to expand our line of innovative great tasting products – like our living lettuce and specialty tomatoes - with RedHat’s year round line of long English cucumbers, mini cucumbers and tomatoes. Together, we increase our stature as one of Western Canada’s leading greenhouse groups and that is very exciting as it allows us to continue to bring innovative products to our customers on a larger scale. Innovation remains at the heart of what we do and bringing new items to market under our same brands will be a huge benefit to our growers, retailers and ultimately the consumer.’
‘Partnering with RedHat enables us to simultaneously deliver new value to our grower partners and our retail customers,’ said David Karwacki, CEO of The Star Group. ‘Retailers in Western Canada already clearly understand the legacy of the Red Hat brand and we look forward to expanding it further across the USA. The Star Group is firmly behind extending our strategic sales expertise, shared services, and to shaping our common cultures in joining with RedHat.’
With over 160 acres of greenhouses, including 40 acres of lit greenhouse, a renovated 98,000 square foot facility including a 40,000 square foot cooler, RedHat delivers fresh greenhouse grown product to customers across Canada and the USA. The recent addition of lights enables year-round production. For more information visit www.redhatco-op.com.
Contact:
Colin Chapdelaine
The Star Group
Tel: 604.881.5566