KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - A major launch is about to rock the show floor at this year’s upcoming Southern Exposure. Mastronardi Produce® announced that it has launched a large-format, greenhouse-grown Romaine lettuce under its Backyard Farms® lettuce line.

“Our greenhouse-grown Romaine is a game-changing product in the lettuce category,” says Peppe Bonfiglio, Vice President of Sales. “We are the first greenhouse grower in North America to successfully cultivate a full and flavorful large-format Romaine. Large-format Romaine is particularly challenging to grow because it thrives under a narrow threshold of conditions. Our growers use a precise climate control system and monitor the heads multiple times a day to hone in on that perfect band of climate.”

According to a press release, Mastronardi Produce leverages state-of-the-art growing technology along with years of breeding and growing experience to produce its Backyard Farms lettuce line.

The greenhouse grower describes the Romaine heads as remarkably full in size and color with sweet and delicate leaves. Packaged in an elegant poly bag, the Romaine heads are offered in a resealable two-count and club format under the recognizable branding of Backyard Farms.

“Greenhouse-grown Romaine lettuce has been on the wish list of retailers for years,” adds Peppe. “We are offering a product that is comparable in size to field-grown Romaine but with all the perks of greenhouse-grown produce, including flavor, color, and consistency. We are excited to make our mark in this category the same way we have revolutionized tomatoes and berries.”

The Backyard Farms Romaine lettuce is already on shelves at select retailers. One of the additional benefits to the Backyard Farms brand is that it already has a loyal consumer base and long history of providing locally grown, fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes in Maine where “it’s always tomato season.” The brand launched its lettuce line in 2023 and now offers a portfolio of cut leafy greens that are washed and ready-to-eat.

Stop by booth #631 to see this Mastronardi Produce launch for yourself.