This month, our BCAITC office team had the unique opportunity to visit the cutting-edge strawberry greenhouse facility Fresh4Sunset Farms Ltd. owned by Ravi and Grin Cheema (The Fresh4U Group Ltd.), in partnership with Sunset Grown (Mastronardi Produce Limited). What we experienced was nothing short of inspirational, a look at the future of greenhouse farming in BC, blending technology, sustainability, and flavour-driven innovation.

A Living, Breathing Greenhouse Environment

Fresh4Sunset Farms Ltd. purchased this formerly cannabis-growing operation, and transformed the greenhouse into a highly controlled, vibrant ecosystem focused on producing everbearing strawberries and tomatoes. With filtered sunlight and a tightly controlled internal climate, the strawberries receive optimal light while being shielded from harmful pests and diseases. Even the ventilation outlets are protected by safety mesh to keep out unwanted intruders. While strawberries love light, higher temperatures can cause them to ripen faster, resulting in smaller fruit. This facility expertly manages those variables for flavour, size, and consistency.

A Visionary Approach Towards BC Strawberries

With a team of 100—including growers, operations staff, HR, supervisors, and managers—the farm is a buzzing hub of collaboration. Their long-term vision? To offer fresh BC strawberries year-round. By staggering growing and setup cycles within their greenhouses, they’re working toward this ambitious goal, while building brand recognition around berries with unique names like “Wow Dream Berries,” “Frooties,” and “Summer Delight.” Berries are chosen and named not just for how they grow, but for how they taste. Their team ensures that once strawberries are harvested, they reach grocery shelves within just two days, delivering freshness and nutrition straight from the greenhouse. Now that’s freshness you can taste!

Global Testing, Local Growing

They’re not just growing berries—they’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With several different testing areas, the Cheema team is exploring how different strawberries perform under different climate conditions. These test areas serve as a hub for experimenting with berry flavour, size, and colour, much like how consumers choose apples by variety.

A Bright Future for Greenhouse Agriculture

This visit was a powerful reminder of how innovative and sustainable BC agriculture can be. It also highlighted how partnerships like the one between the Fresh4U Group Ltd. and Mastronardi Produce Ltd. are essential to building a future where food is fresh, local, and grown responsibly.

We’re excited to keep sharing stories like this with educators and students across the province, inspiring the next generation of growers, thinkers, and food leaders.