New Mastronardi Produce greenhouse will total almost 3 million square feet

Havecon Horticultural Projects is nearing completion on the construction of Green Empire Farms (GEF), a high-tech greenhouse located in Oneida, New York.

The new, industry-leading greenhouse brings Mastronardi Produce’s internal greenhouse network to seven locations across the United States. Family-owned since 1954, Mastronardi Produce is the largest vertically integrated producer of flavorful greenhouse fruits and vegetables, which it sells and distributes under the SUNSET brand.

The 64-acre (2.78 million square-foot-plus) single greenhouse project will be split into two phases. It is one of the largest-ever single build greenhouse projects in North America and one of Havecon’s largest construction projects to date.

Green Empire Farms will grow SUNSET berries, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Construction of phase I started in early February of this year, and the first plants were placed this summer, on schedule. Crops in phase II will be planted in early 2020.

“The scale of this project is enormous. At any given time during construction, we have 10 to 15 platforms and machines, and over 75 staff working non-stop to keep pace and ensure the schedule is held,” says Henk Verbakel, CEO of Havecon.