Today, Durham Foods Limited was among 50 Regional award winners of the Ontario Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.  The coveted award, presented by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, recognizes the contribution of rural farmers and food processors and their innovation with existing products, new markets, and job creation in Ontario’s agri-food sector.  Durham Foods was recognized for achieving the first North American, year-round, commercial production of Hydroponic Spinach. 

Accepting the award for Durham Foods was Mr. Jim Sheehan, President.  “We are elated with this honour”, said Mr. Sheehan. “It seems like an odd thing to grow”, he says with a smile. “When people ask what I do and I tell them I grow hydroponic spinach, they first look at me curiously and then almost always express that they LOVE Spinach!  Spinach can be a very difficult and sensitive crop and commercial hydroponic production has never been successful.  We are very pleased with our success and would like to thank all of our partners who have helped along the way.  This was truly a collaborative effort by many, many dedicated friends and professionals.” 

Durham Foods Limited currently supplies 37 grocery stores in Ontario and hopes to be across the province in early 2013.