Fraise d'hiver strawberries are now available throughout all Sobeys banners: IGA, IGA extra, Rachelle-Béry, Les Marchés Tradition, and Marché Bonichoix. Fraise d'hiver strawberries are harvested from October to June in vertical farms designed by Winter Farm. The strawberries are harvested by hand across a 14-story-high structure and delivered almost daily to guarantee optimal freshness and food safety.
"Lovers of Quebec strawberries will be delighted to learn that these summer icons will now be available year-round, province-wide", the team says. "Naturally sweet, red, and free of any trace of chemical pesticides, Fraise d'hiver strawberries are an enticing option for consumers who are eager to buy local produce... even in winter."
To promote its product from Vaudreuil all the way to the Gaspé Peninsula, Fraise d'Hiver is forging ahead to meet its goals with a brand-new image. The product's distinctive taste, as well as its environmental and health benefits, are all highlighted. Additionally, a brand-new website exclusively dedicated to the product has been launched, featuring recipes and educational content on vertical farming. Consumers can also look forward to enjoying more content on social media as efforts continue to reach new potential customers.
In order to better meet consumer expectations and preserve freshness across the distribution chain, the product comes in a new, fully recyclable package. As a result of a container made in Quebec from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, the product's shelf life will be extended. It was designed in collaboration with Tilton, a packaging manufacturer from the Québec City area that sources its plastics directly from curbside recycling. The container is sealed in a paper film that is also fully recyclable.
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"It's great to finally be able to offer the fruits of innovation across Quebec! Fraise d'hiver strawberries' arrival on shelves not only means that consumers can enjoy a greater variety of fresh foods with a great taste of home but also a value-added option to put flavor and color into our harsh winters! Thanks to Sobeys for their support since day one. We are fortunate to be able to rely on a network of retailers that are so dedicated to promoting local products, summer and winter alike!" said Daphné Mailhot, Director of Merchandising, Marketing, and Communications.
"At Sobeys, we're always on the lookout for quality local products, and we found that in Fraise d'Hiver, a local product that can be enjoyed during the winter season! We're very proud to be its first distributor and to be positioned to offer it exclusively in all IGA stores across Quebec and New Brunswick, as well as in our other banners." - Francis Bérubé, Director, Marketing and Category Management, Fruits and Vegetables, Sobeys.
For more information:
Winter Farm 
www.fermedhiver.com