Grower focuses on Green as Silver Anniversary Approaches

A quarter century of success in the produce business can mean only one thing: sustainability has been a core value since the beginning. As SunSelect Produce Inc. of Aldergrove, B.C., prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary the greenhouse grower not only keeps business sustainability at the forefront of its operations strategy, but also has become a champion of sustainability in its greenest sense. In fact, recent measures to reduce energy use and decrease carbon dioxide emissions have enabled SunSelect to introduce the first certified “carbon neutral” peppers into the North American marketplace.

“We are very cognizant of the sensitivity and environmental consciousness of today’s consumer,” said Reinhold Krahn, company president, who owns SunSelect along with his brothers Victor and Leonard, and sister, Edith Gubiotti. “We are responding with growing practices that respect the environment and yield a unique product that speaks to this important value.”

Carbon neutrality is achieved when the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels is balanced with the use of renewable energy, so the carbon emissions are essentially cancelled out. It can also be attained when only renewable energy sources, which don’t produce any carbon dioxide, are used. Oppenheimer became SunSelect’s marketing partner in 2005. We now sell Beefsteak tomatoes and colored Bell peppers grown on SunSelect’s 70 acres under glass. Last spring, we delivered the grower’s first certified carbon neutral peppers to Costco and Sam’s Club in the U.S.

The grower invested many millions of dollars in the construction of wood waste energy plants at its greenhouse locations — one of which is has been operating for four years. The other began operating in October of this year. After obtaining the wood waste, or “biomass,” from a local saw mill, SunSelect employs boilers to generate heat. The heat then circulates through the boiler tubes, raising the water temperature, and heating the greenhouses.

“This process releases the same amount of carbon dioxide equivalents into the air that would be released when the plant decomposes naturally,” Reinhold explained. “Because the biomass is collected from existing waste streams and displaces new consumption of natural gas, the displaced gas consumption constitutes an additional emissions reduction.”

SunSelect has also introduced energy curtains to reduce overall energy consumption. These white sheets are installed just under the greenhouses’ gables, and are adjustable with sliding screens that hold the warmth in at night.

Finally, SunSelect buys carbon credits (certificates sold by organizations who invest the proceeds into developing renewable energy sources, green housing, and other sustainable initiatives) to balance out the carbon dioxide emitted during the transportation of peppers to market.

The carbon neutral certification is provided by The Offsetters of Vancouver, B.C. — one of Canada’s premier providers of quality carbon offsets. At this point, the certification is specific to SunSelect’s packaged pepper program.

Sustainability Runs in the Family

Reinhold’s father, Gerhard Krahn, started the company that would become SunSelect in 1985.

“Our dad, who was originally a raspberry farmer, was one of the greenhouse pioneers in Canada,” said Reinhold. “After traveling in Europe, dad saw the potential for greenhouse production in the Lower Mainland and constructed our first facility in Abbotsford.”

SunSelect now operates in Aldergrove and Delta, B.C. The business has been a family affair from its inception, and all of the four siblings have been involved in the business since their childhood. In 2001 the four siblings, Leonard, Victor, Edith and Reinhold, took over the reins of the business. Gerhard has enjoyed retirement; although, he still plays an active role in the direction of the business. Leonard is the general manager of growing and production, while Victor heads up construction projects and operations. As the office manager and controller, Edith is the head of administration, while Reinhold is active in financing and planning. The relationship among the siblings is one of equal partnership.

In addition to his role at SunSelect, Reinhold works as a tax attorney in Vancouver. He said he enjoys the “growing experience” of greenhouse production, especially “seeing how a plant grows beautiful fruit … The scientific methods used to grow the best greenhouse produce are fascinating,” he said. “I’m proud of the way we grow great tasting, safe food as efficiently as we do.”

Reinhold expects food safety concerns and population growth will drive the popularity of greenhouse production into the future.

“Technology will make greenhouse production even more efficient,” he said. “As the population grows, so will the pressure on global agriculture. In the greenhouse, you can produce one thousand times the yield as you can in the field. This capability together with the ability to provide safe, high quality products will assure our enduring sustainability in the long run.”