Whole Leaf lettuce. (Supplied by CNW Group/Wendy's Restaurants of Canada)

By David Opinko

Alberta Lettuce

Wendy’s Canada selects Coaldale greenhouse as their sole lettuce provider

Jul 15, 2020 | 2:09 PM

COALDALE, AB – Whole Leaf could be about to rake in some serious green.

Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada has announced that it is now sourcing 100 per cent of its lettuce from one particular Canadian grower.

“At Wendy’s, we are committed to using fresh ingredients, whenever possible, across our menu,” says Lisa Deletroz, Senior Director, Marketing, Wendy’s Canada. “The move to greenhouse-grown lettuce is part of our ongoing commitment to offer Canadians the highest quality, best-tasting ingredients.”

“We know that greenhouse farms grow produce that hits the mark for freshness and delicious flavour every time. What’s more, this transition will enable Wendy’s to further support Canadian producers and the Canadian economy, while offering supply predictability and consistency,” adds Deletroz.

Wendy’s operates 384 locations across the country.

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Following Whole Leaf’s expansion in Coaldale in 2019, its Inspired Greens and Inspired Leaves brands grow around 16-17.5-million heads of lettuce each year across 11 acres of space.

Using estimates provided by Senior Director of Sales Rindi Bristol, the deal means they will be providing anywhere from 6.4-million to 7.8-million heads to the fast-food chain annually.

She could not comment on the financial side of their arrangement with Wendy’s, but she told LNN that this deal was three years in the making and that the recent expansion was a necessary component in getting it done.

“We are the only lettuce grower in Canada that would be able to have the scale and production in order to meet the demand and volume of a national [quick service restaurant] program, so we’ve been working really closely with the Wendy’s team and with procurements and research and development teams to make this happen.”

Prior to the national expansion, the greenhouse had a test market in Atlantic Canada.

The goal was to figure out the logistics of shipping fresh produce across the country and still have it be good, especially when sending it to P.E.I. meant a trip of over 4,500 km and a boat ride.

Bristol says they do not use pesticides in any of their products.

“We are proud to partner with Wendy’s Canada on its initiative to supply zero-pesticide lettuce. With more Canadians looking for sustainable products, this strategic partnership allows us to reach Wendy’s customers all-year round with high-quality fresh produce alongside a brand that – like Inspired Leaves – is committed to quality and sustainability.”

By utilizing greenhouses and water capture techniques, the company says they are able to reduce their water consumption by about 90 per cent compared to field-grown lettuce.

Wendy’s locations across Canada now carry Whole Leaf’s lettuce and Bristol said she was pleased to learn that the company has signage in all of their locations indicating that the lettuce is Alberta grown.