Oppenheimer and Origin Announce Long-Term Agreement

Two innovative British Columbia companies have joined forces to make top quality greenhouse organics a North American mainstay.

Through an exclusive marketing agreement, the Vancouver-based Oppenheimer Group recently solidified a long-term partnership with the largest organic greenhouse vegetable grower in North America, Origin Organic farms of Delta. The agreement centers on efficiently supplying the market with a broad range of OriginOT-branded produce into the next decade.

The two organizations have worked closely in recent years to introduce Origin Organic Farms' unique products across the U.S. and Canada, and build momentum for the OriginOT brand. Origin produces organic tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers - and a wide range of specialty items - using sustainable growing practices underpinned by leading-edge greenhouse technology, according to John Anderson, Oppenheimer's chairman, president and CEO.

"Oppenheimer's specialization in organics was evolving at about the same time that Origin Organic Farms' organic volume began to increase," Anderson said. "When our relationship started a few years ago, Origin was growing excellent conventional greenhouse produce while dedicating only a small amount of acreage to organics. Together, we strategically marketed the limited crop, and saw the tremendous potential."

This initial success prompted Origin to begin converting its entire B.C. acreage to certified organic production, and in late 2006, the company opened a facility in Carpenteria, CA to create year-round availability of key products. The grower currently produces 42 acres.

"The new arrangement cements our shared commitment to bring excellent organics to the market," Anderson said. "Origin's innovative growing practices yield tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers with superb appearance, unparalleled flavor, and exceptional keeping qualities. Our customers experience far less shrink with OriginOT than they might encounter with other organics."

William Cheuk, president of Origin Organic Farms, shares Anderson's enthusiasm about the partnership, and spoke about the unique values the OriginOT brand offers.

"In 2000, we had already seen the potential and demand for high quality organic produce and the importance of a sustainable and environmentally friendly farm operation," he said. "Our company practice is to develop a sustainability concept, which includes processing raw materials into organic fertilizers, processing plant waste into compost as part of our soil amendment 100 percent drain recycle program, and incorporating a home compostable packaging concept.

"For the past six years our group has undertaken a vast amount of research and implemented numerous trials to identify the ideal nutrients, fertilizer, growing media and environment most suitable for consistent organic production," Cheuk continued. "While organic produce makes up less than three percent of all produce consumed in North America, it has grown rapidly over the past five years because of increased consumer concerns over pesticides and herbicides. We can see that every year the organic market has double-digit growth. Now, people don't mind paying extra for food they are sure has been grown without pesticides and actually tastes like it should."

The Oppenheimer Group is currently supplying organic, greenhouse-grown Beefsteak tomatoes and Tomatoes on the Vine and Sweet Bell peppers in the OriginOT brand.

The Oppenheimer Group
Web site: www.oppyproduce.com

For more information:
Karin Gardner, Communications Manager
Ph: 206-284-1705
karga@oppy.com

Jill Dahlstrom, Communications Associate
Ph: 206-282-2467
jilda@oppy.com