Metrolina Greenhouses becomes GlobalG.A.P. Certified
Metrolina Greenhouses is the first ornamentals producer in the U.S. to become GlobalG.A.P. Certified.
GlobalG.A.P. is a worldwide brand of smart farm assurance solutions that rigorously audits agriculture, floriculture, aquaculture and compound feed producers against world-leading standards to ensure they are using good agricultural practices. Global G.A.P. certification, commonly used and required to ensure food safety standards in food production, is currently a voluntary standard for ornamentals production.
Becoming GlobalG.A.P. Certified provides Metrolina Greenhouses’ retail partners and end consumers with the assurance that its plants are produced in a safe, responsible and sustainable manner to ensure high quality and garden success.
The GlobalG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance standard for flowers and ornamentals is a global standard for the responsible farming of flowers and ornamentals that covers all stages of production from propagation to basic postharvest handling. It includes requirements on topics such as soil and water management, plant protection, plant nutrition, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, workers’ health, safety and well- being and management and traceability.
Metrolina Greenhouses’ pursuit of GlobalG.A.P. Certification was encouraged by its involvement in the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI), according to Dr. Mark Yelanich, director of research and development for Metrolina Greenhouses, who spearheaded the certification effort.
The FSI is a Belgian-led organization initiated in 2012 by 25 floriculture industry founding members, with the intention to develop more sustainable solutions for farmers, for the environment and for the future of the floriculture sector.
“I am very pleased with the entire GlobalG.A.P. philosophy,” Yelanich said. “GlobalG.A.P. gave Metrolina an opportunity to get credit for our production practices, while giving us a framework to continuously improve our entire process.”
Metrolina Greenhouses’ GlobalG.A.P. Certification is a distinction that reinforces the operation’s core values, which include its commitment to integrity, quality, innovation, sustainability and creating a world-class employee experience, according to co-CEO Abe VanWingerden.
“We are excited to be the first ornamentals greenhouse operation in the U.S. to receive Global GAP certification, a milestone that aligns Metrolina Greenhouses with its mission to lead by example in the floriculture industry,” VanWingerden said. “Every member of our team operates with the goal of improving by 1% every day, so seeing this effort come to fruition is a big step in the right direction.”
Video Library 
