Bonduelle Italia CEO Andrea Montagna has no doubt: Azienda Agricola Salera is one of the best in the field when it comes to fresh-cut products. On 17th September 2019, the company opened its doors to showcase how it produces 2000 tons of vegetables for the fresh-cut industry every year.
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The Salera brothers
"We have an exclusive contract with Bonduelle, so we established a price at the beginning of the year. Then not everything always goes well, as the gross saleable production can vary depending on the weather or sudden disasters like a year ago, where many of our greenhouses were destroyed," explained brothers Marco and Nicola Salera.
The company grows 30 hectares of greenhouses producing lamb's lettuce, green lettuce, red lettuce, green Roman lettuce and rocket. Eight hectares are organic and the rest will be converted in 2020. It currently produces around 2000 tons, 10% of what the Bonduelle facility 15 km away processes.
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Flame weeding
"All phases are monitored and cycles last around 30 days in summer and 60-80 in winter. Greenhouses are headed by wood-chip boilers, as all our choices are made with the environment in mind."
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What is more, the company employs flame weeding and fertilizing is carried out with mature organic matter that has been composted. Tractors feature a unique system thanks to which the exhaust is released only outside greenhouses so as to safeguard vegetables. Three km of hedges will be planted soon to favor biodiversity."
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After cutting the crops, the machine suctions all residue, which is essential to guarantee the health of the productions.
"At Bonduelle, they can track every single batch. Greenhouses have an identification number and it is possible to find out even the time when the produce was harvested."
Contacts:
Azienda agricola Salera
via Vallere, 65
Martinengo (BG)
Tel. (+39) 0363 987295
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.salera.it