US(NY): Vacant Fortistar greenhouse gets new purpose for organics

A forgotten Wheatfield site has been targeted by a Jacksonville, Fla. firm that hopes to create a greenhouse operation producing organic vegetables. The project, Wheatfield Gardens LLC, will see the vacant former Fortistar greenhouse on Shawnee Road transformed into the state-of-the-art agricultural-based operation.

Wheatfield Gardens LLC will invest $2.5 million initially, but ultimately expect to spend well “north” of $10 million.. An estimated 100 jobs, including 57 during the early phases, will be created.

Vegetables grown in the vast greenhouse operation will include cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and leafy green lettuce such as Romaine and spinach. All of the vegetables will be organic.

A representative of Wheatfield Gardens LLC told bizjournals.com, that Wegmans Food Markets has already signed a deal to purchase some of its products and talks are underway with other supermarket chains. The vegetables are also being grown to meet Kosher standards. The Kosher market is another avenue Wheatfield Gardens LLC is pursuing.

Source: bizjournals.com