Nature Fresh Farms Hires Longtime Tillamook Leader Patrick Criteser as CEO

tamiah312 November 21, 2024

6 3 minutes read

Nature Fresh Farms Hires Longtime Tillamook Leader Patrick Criteser as CEO

Innovative greenhouse grower expands the senior team to meet the demand for high-quality, tasty fruit and vegetables

LEAMINGTON, Ontario – Nature Fresh Farms^®one of North America’s leading growers of sustainable greenhouse products, announced today that Patrick Criteser is joining its executive team as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead its rapid expansion.

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Over the past 25 years, Nature Fresh Farms has grown from a single, 18-acre farm into an international produce leader known for sustainability, innovation and high quality. The family-owned company delivers delicious tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and berries year-round from farm to farm. It uses state-of-the-art, highly integrated greenhouse technology to produce high-flavor, specialty varieties – like its award-winning tomato, grape-winning Hiiros™️ – that are better for people and the planet.

Criteser, former president and CEO of the Tillamook County Creamery Association, will guide Nature Fresh Farms as it expands its team, products and distribution to meet the rapidly growing demand for its fresh, Greenhouse Clean™ fruits and vegetables.

“We started the search for a new CEO because we saw the need to bring in a senior executive with extensive experience growing billion-dollar companies to lead our growth,” said John Ketler, president. “Patrick is the right person to take on this role, and I’m excited to work with him to grow our business, our people and our vision of doing good through great food.”

Patrick has over 30 years of leadership experience with a track record of leading growth and positive change in companies large and small. In his 12 years at Tillamook, he grew revenue by more than 250 percent and established Tillamook as one of the leading food brands in the U.S. Prior to joining Tillamook, he spent eight years as president and CEO at Coffee Bean International and one working together. CEO of Farmer Brothers (Nasdaq: FARM). Criteser has also held management and strategic development roles for some of the world’s most respected brands, including Nike, The Walt Disney Company and Procter & Gamble.

Effective December 2, he will take over the role of CEO from Nature Fresh Farms founder and owner, Peter Quiring, who will become executive chairman of the board. Ketler will remain president and continue to play a key leadership role in shaping the company’s direction.

“Patrick is exactly what we need right now to help us navigate this period of massive growth,” Quiring said. “He is in line with our entrepreneurial campaign to develop new nutritious varieties again more fun, while investing in the people who make it possible. His strategic thinking and deep business knowledge will help inspire a new generation of sustainability and innovation.”

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Quiring, a mechanical engineer, started Nature Fresh Farms in 1999 with the idea of packing as much flavor and nutrition into each tomato – and growing them as sustainably as possible. He designed and built his first high-quality greenhouse farm, intending to sell it. But farmers didn’t buy the new technology right away, so he decided to keep it and run it himself. The company now operates and markets 2,500 hectares of greenhouses with sustainable technology in Canada, the US and Mexico.

Its sustainable growing practices include growing plants in coconut husks, circulating water in a 100% closed loop system, burning clean wood for combustion, growing plants vertically for more fruit in a small space, fertilizing plants with bees and using good bugs for control. bad bugs. Nature Fresh Farms’ Discovery Center, a 2.5-acre experimental greenhouse, develops new varieties that increase nutrition and taste.

“I’m excited to start helping Nature Fresh Farms bring fresh, healthy, and flavorful produce to the table in a sustainable way,” said Criteser. “I look forward to working with Peter, John and the entire team to ensure the long-term success of the company, while creating a fulfilling and enriching career for all members of the Nature Fresh Farms team.”

About Nature Fresh Farms

Nature Fresh Farms^® is a pioneer in greenhouse products, dedicated to feeding people and the planet through innovation and sustainability. Based in Leamington, Ontario, with facilities across North America, we’re not just farmers; we are founders. We build our own greenhouses, grow our own produce carefully and produce a farmers market that we work with to bring you the freshest, tastiest, and highest quality produce. We are passionately dedicated to pushing the boundaries of greenhouse technology and advocating sustainable farming practices. Because for us, good food isn’t just about taste – it’s about creating a meaningful, positive impact on our world. Join us Growing for a Better Future™. To learn more about Nature Fresh Farms visit naturefreshfarms.com.

View the source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121271755/en/