Quebec-based Winter Farm has raised CAD 46 million (approx. $34.3 million) to strengthen its position in the vertical farming industry.

The milestone was achieved thanks to a “renewed commitment” from the Quebec government and Investissement Québec, as well as support from new investors. The funding will be used to build a vertical farming site dedicated to strawberry production.

According to Winter Farm, the Vaudreuil site will produce nearly 1 million kilograms of Fraise d’hiver strawberries yearly.

In the coming months, six 600-square-metre vertical farm installations will be added to two existing farms already in operation to allow for production of “high-quality” strawberries, while using between 20 to 25 times less space than open field production. The site will also recover 90% of irrigation water used and generate minimal greenhouse gases.

Winter Farm has also announced the acquisition of Les Serres Vaudreuil, formerly owned by the St-Denis family, who will now manage operations and production of Fraise d’hiver strawberries.

Alain Brisebois, president and CEO at Winter Farm, said: “The arrival of new partners is a vote of confidence in favour of Winter Farm’s industrial potential and our ability to deliver superior-quality fruit. Innovation is key to develop a more sustainable and competitive local agriculture that can challenge import markets.”

André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region, commented: “An agriculture based on a variety of production models is essential to increasing sustainable food autonomy in Quebec… Our government is pleased to support…[Winter Farm’s] efforts in providing consumers with healthy local products, year-round.”

Guy LeBlanc, president and CEO at Investissement Québec, added: “Investissement Québec is proud to renew its support of Winter Farm. Their innovative vertical production solutions address the agri-food and environmental challenges we are facing. This new project will enable them to increase local production and strengthen Quebec’s food autonomy.”