Steven Newell
CEO, Windset Farms
Windset Farms show how greenhouse-grown produce boosts local food production, reduces the environmental footprint, and ensures high-quality produce for consumers year-round.
A healthy diet includes a wide variety of vegetables. There is no shortage of vegetable varieties at Windset Farms® in Delta, BC. For 30 years, this Canadian greenhouse-produce grower has provided a year-round novel array of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuces, and specialty items to local communities.
Why so many different varieties of the same vegetable? “Consumers want snackable options, convenient formats, and brands that stand out on the shelf, so new flavours and shapes help keep the produce aisle exciting,” says Steven Newell, CEO, Windset Farms.
There’s also a creative angle. “The Windset brand was inspired by art and music because growing food feels like both,” says Newell. “Every variety we grow is like a new composition, balancing colour, flavour, texture, and aroma. Our Maestro® Bell Peppers, for example, are a symphony of colour, each one vibrant, crisp, and perfectly tuned for sweetness,” he says.
Advanced growing techniques at new facility
Windset grows these vegetable medleys at their 92-acre headquarter facility in Delta, BC, and is supported by an extensive partner grower base in British Columbia and Mexico and a 168-acre greenhouse facility in Santa Maria, California. Using state-of-the-art technology, responsible growing practices, and a gentle hand, Windset brings freshness and quality to the table all year round. “All our plants are non-GMO seedlings grown in carefully controlled environments,” says Newell. Integrated pest management techniques, such as introducing beneficial insects to control the populations of harmful pests in our greenhouse, allow us to grow naturally and sustainably. For pollination, Windset uses bumblebees. “As they move through the greenhouse, they help each flower set fruit, which is essential for healthy tomato production,” says Newell.
To meet increased demand, Windset recently expanded its Delta, BC facility. The upgrade includes the installation of LED lighting across two 24-acre greenhouses, powered by renewable hydroelectricity from BC Hydro. “LEDs use significantly less power than traditional high pressure sodium lighting and allow us to grow high-quality tomatoes and cucumbers year-round,” says Newell.
As well as LED lighting, Windset installed additional hot-water grow pipes to maintain consistent crop temperatures, vertical airflow fans to recirculate air, and double energy curtains to save energy and enhance light abatement.
This upgrade makes Delta the largest LED-lit greenhouse operation in Western North America. Windset’s commitment to sustainable growing has earned the company BC Hydro’s Clean Energy Champion Award and FortisBC’s Efficiency in Action Award. “Our Delta facility expansion is a major step forward in producing great-tasting food while using fewer resources,” says Newell. Windset is continuing its growth trajectory with another expansion at its Delta site, adding 38 acres of new “ultra-lit” production in 2026.
Benefits to consumers, retailers, and communities
This is good news on many fronts. More consumers across Canada will be able to access a consistent supply of fresh, locally grown, healthy produce regardless of the season. Windset is a one-stop shop for greenhouse vegetables, growing high-quality produce using state-of-the-art technology and responsible growing practices. This means fewer food miles, better food security, and fresh, high-quality produce for our communities to enjoy year-round.
Learn more about Windset Farms’ sustainability initiatives and facility expansion by visiting greenhousegrown.com.
