Organic greenhouse will supply Meijer stores

Elzinga & Hoeksema Greenhouses in Kalamazoo, Mich., opened one of the Midwest’s first USDA-certified-organic greenhouses this spring. The 4-acre greenhouse will supply organic herb and vegetable plants to Meijer, a general merchandise chain with more than 180 stores in five states.

Branded items in the organic line include Fresh Flavor vegetable and herb plants, Classic Flavor heirloom plants, Urban Gardener Patio Pots and Herbal Home plants. Elzinga & Hoeksema plans to grow more than 1.3 million plants this year.

The company’s new greenhouse features energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy sources such as a closed-loop ground heat exchanger and hot water heating system, high-efficiency condensing boilers, solar panels and in-floor heat.

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For more: Elzinga & Hoeksema Greenhouses, (269) 327-5144; www.elzingagreenhouses.com.

June 2008