Cultures Gen V Becomes First Canadian Greenhouse to Get B Corp Certification
December 11, 2024 Cultures Gen V, the largest diverse greenhouse producer in Quebec and sizeable producer in the Northeastern U.S., earned B Corp Certification on December 9, 2024. This achievement highlights the company’s commitment to sustainable and ethical practices.
By becoming the first greenhouse business in Canada to earn this certification, Cultures Gen V continues to meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards, transparency, and accountability.
“It means a lot to me to wake up each morning and know that I can make sure humans eat fresh vegetables,” said Valerie Terrault, sales and marketing manager at Cultures Gen V. “Putting our community and the environment first is really the only way to go. I think it resonates not only with me as a second-generation owner, but also with our employees, suppliers, and consumers.”
The owners of Cultures Gen V. | Photo: Cultures Gen V
A Significant Achievement in the Greenhouse Industry
Receiving B Corp Certification represents a significant challenge for a company like Cultures Gen V. The agri-food sector, particularly greenhouse production, faces complex and sector-specific environmental issues, such as energy management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these challenges, Gen V has adopted sustainable practices by prioritizing green energy and making decisions focused on the well-being of its employees and the community.
This process, which spanned three years, was kick-started by the family’s next generation, who will eventually take over the company. Sensitive to environmental and social issues, these young entrepreneurs work towards ensuring the company’s longevity by adopting a responsible approach. They have sought solutions to ensure that every decision made for the company today positively impacts future generations.
In an industry where traditional practices often prioritize short-term profitability, Cultures Gen V embraces a progressive business strategy. By integrating high standards across the five pillars of B Corp certification (i.e., governance, community, customers, employees, and environment), the company sets a new benchmark. It shows that combining economic performance with social responsibility is possible—even in an industry known for its environmental challenges.
“We want to be profitable, but not at the expense of the well-being of our employees or the planet,” said Terrault. “We are privileged to have a company and the ability to decide whether it will positively or negatively impact the world of tomorrow. We hope to inspire and encourage other companies across all sectors to follow suit. I hope that one day this certification will no longer be necessary, as all companies will want to normalize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.”
Actions Taken by Cultures Gen V to Enhance Performance
The company has implemented several initiatives to improve its environmental, social, and organizational performance. Key measures include:
- Divert 100% of their agricultural plastics from landfills. In 2022, this initiative supported efforts to recycle these plastics, reducing GHG emissions by 86.11 tons.
- Actively participate in a consultation project on the circular use of horticultural plastics in the Montérégie region.
- Adopt the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) system. This framework promotes open and structured communication within the organization.
- Redistribute unsold products to organizations. This allows them to provide fresh, local, and accessible food to economically vulnerable people through social pricing.
- Support foreign workers’ integration. These initiatives include offering French and Spanish courses and hiring a dedicated HR staff member to address their concerns.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished so far as an old company with young people at the front of the line,” said Terrault. “I look forward to seeing what’s next and how we can motivate other greenhouses in the industry.”