Greater volumes of SunSelect sweet bell peppers and tomatoes are predicted this autumn as a high-tech greenhouse expansion looks set to double production capacity at its Californian operation. 

The facility in Tehachapi will focus on growing three colors of bell peppers as well as diversifying SunSelect’s specialty tomato line-up, complementing the tomatoes-on-the-vine, cocktail tomatoes and red bell peppers grown in the greenhouse's first phase.

The greenhouse development will double the capacity of Canada-headquartered SunSelect’s original 32-acre Tehachapi facility, which opened in October 2014.

“The concrete is poured, the full structure is up, and glazing is well underway,” SunSelect vice president of operations and sales Len Krahn says.

“Everything is on schedule and we expect the construction to be completed in early August, when we’ll do our first planting in the new area.”

Executive vice president Mike Reed adds that it will provide several enhancements and enable the company to ramp up production.

"We’re adding ProSeal machines, and a grape tomato line which will enable us to offer more Euro-style packs with top films for all of our specialty tomatoes," he says.

"Not only do the packs have terrific shelf and consumer appeal, they also reduce the amount of waste going into landfills by about 25%.

"We’re already creating a strong foothold with local retailers seeking high quality local tomato and pepper programs year round. The expanded facility will enable us to grow from here. Our location in California’s Central Valley gives us ready access to key markets."

Reed adds that SunSelect will be able to get the product off the plant and into stores within 48 hours.

SunSelect’s marketing partner The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy) is a co-investor in the greenhouse development.

Executive category director Aaron Quon believes the timing of the new Tehachapi production 'couldn’t be better' as the greenhouse pepper season will be winding down just as SunSelect’s new production comes on-line.

"The new supply will create even more opportunities for us to serve customers in California and beyond," he says.

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