Great Lakes Growers, a producer of hydroponic lettuce and herbs, recently announced its PrimusGFS food safety certification. PrimusGFS is a Global Food Safety Initiative-recognized audit scheme for the certification of produce, from growing operations to minimally processed produce, like lettuce and herbs. And not only did Great Lakes Growers pass the PrimusGFS certification requirements, it performed well beyond standard levels to achieve safety marks of 98 percent and 100 percent for its greenhouse and harvest crew, respectively.
"Our high marks reflect our commitment to providing consumers with the safest, healthiest produce available,” says Great Lakes Growers co-owner, Tim Ryan. “Our ability to control the internal environment in our greenhouse, along with our food safety protocol, gives our customers peace of mind knowing they’re receiving superior lettuces and herbs each and every time”, states Ryan.
Ryan and John Bonner, co-owner, first opened a hydroponic greenhouse in 2011 and their company now supplies grocers, wholesale clubs and even restaurants with several varieties of what the company calls “living lettuce” and “living herbs” (produce that still carries its roots for freshness, longevity and taste).