Thermal, CA – SCS Global Services (SCS) announced that North Shore Greenhouses' "Living Herbs" brand packaged herbs have been certified as "Sustainably Grown" under one of the world's toughest standards for environmental, social and economic sustainability. The company, which uses hydroponic growing methods inside state-of-the-art greenhouses, produces a variety of packaged herbs all year. Packaging for North Shore's entire product line will now feature the SCS "Kingfisher" certification mark, becoming the first fresh herb to be certified Sustainably Grown.
"We have always taken sustainability seriously at North Shore, and we work every day to maintain our commitment to protecting the environment and contributing to our community," said Leo Overgaag, North Shore's President and CEO. "Achieving independent recognition of our sustainability efforts helps to communicate that dedication to our retailers, partners and customers."
North Shore's greenhouse hydroponic growing methods use 70% less water than conventional open-field agriculture and can be operated year-round. The Thermal, California-based company has adapted its growing practices to work in harmony with its arid, desert climate located near the shores of the Salton Sea. Hydroponic greenhouses eschew normal soil planters for peat moss, a natural plant medium that requires less water and keeps herbs alive even after shoppers take them home. No soil and less water use means that North Shore's operations protect against soil depletion and erosion, helping to preserve the surrounding community's ground water supply.
"Sustainably Grown certification can only be earned by growers who meet exemplary environmental, social, economic and quality standards," said Linda Brown, SCS Senior Vice President. "North Shore's achievement gives customers an important new option when choosing herbs."
Packaged Living Herbs featuring the SCS Sustainably Grown certification mark will become available in stores starting in April, 2014.
North Shore Greenhouses Inc.
Founded in 1987, North Shore Greenhouses, Inc. is the producer of North Shore Living Herbs(R), the original living herb. They supply grocery retailers with culinary-grade herbs packaged with the roots still attached to achieve maximum shelf life.
North Shore Greenhouses, Inc. began by growing North Shore(R) European Cucumbers. However, nearly two decades ago company owners, Leo and Suzette Overgaag, recognized a need to grow the fresh herb retail category by extending shelf life, resulting in reduced shrink and increased performance. To accomplish this they pioneered a unique growing method that allowed the plants to be harvested and packaged with the roots intact. From that revolutionary vision North Shore Living Herbs(R) sprouted.
North Shore Greenhouses, Inc. is family owned and operated and is the product of three generations of greenhouse growing experience. Today, the growing methods have been updated with state-of-the-art European greenhouse growing methods. North Shore grows all of their products in Southern California and they are vertically integrated and control the processes from seed to customer. This attention to quality, combined with consummate customer service, has lead to the tremendous success of North Shore Living Herbs(R).
In 2010, North Shore Sales & Marketing, Inc. was established as an independent company to promote products grown by North Shore Greenhouses, Inc.
SCS Global Services (SCS)
SCS has been a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development for thirty years. SCS programs span a wide cross-section of sectors, recognizing exemplary performance in food and agriculture testing, food safety auditing, natural resource management, green building, product manufacturing, retailing and more. SCS is a Certified B CorporationTM, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice.
Source: North Shore Greenhouses Inc.
