How a hydroponic lettuce farm in Mississippi Mills is growing the Canadian dream

A Ukrainian family is growing the Canadian dream one head of lettuce at a time on their hydroponic farm in Mississippi Mills. CTV’s Peter Szperling reports.

A new hydroponic lettuce farm in Mississippi Mills, Ont. is raising more than produce, it’s where a Ukrainian Family is working towards their Canadian dream.

Growing produce, and a new life in Canada, Svitlana Haidaichuk and her family uprooted from Ukraine because of war, moving to this country three years ago.

“We have Ukrainian hearts, but we have a Canadian dream,” she tells CTV News Ottawa. “We had a huge challenge. We came with two kids, three bags, no money, no English at all.”

Through hard work, perseverance, and a clear goal, the family is now operating two businesses, home renovations and a passion for growth with Fusion Greens Farm.

The family started an indoor hydroponic farm in eastern Ontario with a plan of growing lettuce year-round.

“This is absolutely 100% fresh product. No pesticides. Only water, nutrients and sun. And that’s it,” Svitlana says.

Growing from seed to fresh produce locally, the business is a source of pride for the entire family.

“I think it’s very niche,” says Veronika Haidaichuk, Svitlana’s daughter. “And it needs to be done because in the stores there’s not a lot of like, local products. And I think it’s very important for us to have in winter, fresh greens in the stores.”

Produce is available at select nearby area grocery stores, like Anderson’s Independent Grocer in Carleton Place.

“It’s all about, you know, supporting the local businesses and our community. And it always comes back to us tenfold,” says Mitch Anderson, the Anderson’s Independent Grocer’s owner. “It’s always the freshest. It’s the crispiest lettuce around. There’s really no comparison to this, you know, local lettuce that they’re supplying us with right now.”

On Friday, just a couple of heads of lettuce were available in the store.

Fusion Greens Farm has room for expansion, with a goal of growing their dream even further.

The Haidaichuks say they’re thankful for a community that has embraced and supported them.

“This is like a result of community support and our passion,” says Svitlana. “When we came here to Canada, we used a food bank; and just now, it’s our turn — we deliver our lettuce to the food bank.”

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App