Shenandoah Growers Completes $3 Million Greenhouse and Adds 31 Employees

HARRISONBURG, Va., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Sales of living, organic herbs are in demand, and Shenandoah Growers announced today it has completed a $3 million, state-of-the-art, USDA certified organic greenhouse to expand its production. The Harrisonburg-based company currently supplies fresh herbs to major grocery stores within the Eastern United States. The expansion adds 75,000 square feet of additional growing space, providing a year-round harvest equivalent to farming on 50 acres of land.

"Our expansion not only stimulates the local economy," says Timothy Heydon, president and CEO of Shenandoah Growers. "But more importantly, it delivers on our vision of sustainably growing and supplying living organic herbs to the consumer as a year-round solution of transforming the taste of food in a natural, healthy way."

As a result of this investment, Shenandoah Growers has created 31 new jobs in Rockingham County Virginia, including several key management positions.

"On behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are thankful to have Shenandoah Growers contributing to our regional and local economy by expanding its operations and adding jobs," says Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Matt Lohr. "This expansion represents the best in innovative technology and sustainable agricultural practice, and is an example of growth we want in the Commonwealth."

In honor of their expansion, Shenandoah Growers marked the occasion with a local grand opening event and made a $2,500 donation to the Friendly City Food Co-op of Harrisonburg. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting to signify the new greenhouse becoming operational.

About Shenandoah Growers

Supplying fresh culinary herbs to the East Coast marketplace for over 20 years, Shenandoah Growers is currently one of the top providers of fresh herbs in the United States. Specializing in serving the retail grocery market, they have experienced an 800 percent increase in sales over the past 10 years, growing from 20 to 150 employees, dramatically expanding their packaging and processing facilities, and managing state-of-the-art organic glass greenhouses and outdoor organic field production in Rockingham County. As a community-focused company, they are dedicated to investing locally through their Local Family Farmer Program, which is in its third year. Under the program, nine family growers currently are provided the tools and growing expertise to support the company's seasonal production, translating into $100,000 in seasonal revenue for local growers. Over the last 10 years, Shenandoah Growers has invested over $8 million into the Virginia economy.

SOURCE Shenandoah Growers