Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers' Fiona McLean Discusses “Always in Season” Winter Cucumber Campaign
LEAMINGTON, ON - To kick off the New Year, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) is launching its annual winter cucumber campaign “Always in Season” at select retail stores throughout Ontario. Included in this retail group are Loblaw, Metro, Sobeys, Longo’s and Walmart Canada.
“The more occasions we can find to educate the consumer, the more opportunities we will have to impact sales and increase demand. The greenhouse vegetable sector is a powerful economic force in Ontario,” Fiona McLean, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, tells me. “With increasing consumer healthy eating habits, our cucumbers are the ideal choice for snacking. Seedless Cucumbers are made up of 90% water and are an excellent source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, and silica.”
Fiona also adds that the most nutrients are stored in the peel of the seedless cucumber, which is completely edible, so be sure not to peel them.
This program educates the consumer on the availability of greenhouse seedless cucumbers and features new recipes on how to include the versatile produce item in meals for every eating occasion. All varieties of Ontario Seedless Cucumbers are available year round. Currently, this select group of Ontario retailers have committed to promoting seedless cucumber flyer ads, indicating the category’s Product of Canada designation. The winter cucumber program runs February 1 to March 13, 2016.
“OGVG welcomes other Canadian retailers to participate in these campaigns, as well,” Fiona says.
According to OGVG Farmgate, the greenhouse vegetable sector is a powerful economic force contributing $840 million to the Ontario economy. Over 70% of Ontario greenhouse produce is exported to the United States annually. In fact, OGVG growers and marketers are less than a one day drive to the majority of markets they serve in Canada and the United States.
In 2015, OGVG licensed 35 marketers who are responsible for the selling and distribution of Ontario greenhouse products throughout North America.
