King City-based Haven Greens is advancing its mission to redefine local agriculture with the introduction of Trillium Blend, a Costco-exclusive leafy greens mix symbolizing Ontario freshness, strength, and pride. The launch underscores the company’s rapid growth since its debut earlier this year and marks another major step toward expanding access to sustainably grown, locally sourced produce.
Trillium Blend takes its name from Ontario’s official flower, representing the province’s vitality and natural abundance. The mix combines baby green leaf, baby red butter leaf, arugula, and mustard greens — a medley designed to deliver freshness and flavor with every bite. Each pack is cultivated and packaged at Haven Greens’ five-acre facility in King City, Ontario, and offers a consistent, ready-to-eat product grown for Ontarians, by Ontarians.
Haven Greens CEO and Founder Jay Willmot described the partnership as a meaningful milestone: “Producing an exclusive new blend for Costco, a retailer so widely beloved in our home province and beyond, within our initial launch year has been an honour. Costco’s commitment to consistently providing Canadians with quality products aligns closely with our goal of providing a fresh, sustainable, and readily available alternative to seasonal field lettuce.”
The Technology Behind the Taste
Located on the historic Kinghaven Farms property, Haven Greens operates Canada’s first fully automated greenhouse, a state-of-the-art facility powered by controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and advanced automation. The climate-controlled space maintains optimal growing conditions year-round, entirely pesticide-free and untouched by human hands until packaging.
The greenhouse’s innovative design allows for continuous production, generating approximately 10,000 pounds of lettuce per day and totaling 3.6 million pounds annually. Using an AI-managed system and a mobile gutter technology developed by Finland’s Green Automation, each growth cycle is completed in just 25 days — from seeding to harvest.
The automation significantly reduces waste, water usage, and energy consumption. Haven Greens reuses more than 90 percent of its water and nutrients, a process that contributes to its goal of achieving net-zero operations by 2027.
Extending Shelf Life, Reducing Waste
Haven Greens’ products are notable for their exceptional shelf life. Each ready-to-eat pack remains fresh for up to five weeks, compared to the typical two-week lifespan of field-grown greens. The controlled environment eliminates external contaminants, enabling the company to produce lettuce that is clean, consistent, and free of pesticides.
By growing locally and distributing within the province, Haven Greens also reduces the environmental footprint associated with long-distance transportation. Currently, over 97 percent of Canada’s leafy greens are imported from the United States and Mexico. Haven Greens’ model directly addresses this imbalance, strengthening Canadian food security while supporting regional agriculture.
A Rapid Rise in the Retail Sector
Launched officially in early 2025, Haven Greens began with a modest distribution footprint but has quickly expanded across Ontario’s retail landscape. The brand’s leafy greens are now available at independent grocers such as Summerhill Market and larger chains including Metro, Sobeys, and Giant Tiger.
The exclusive Costco partnership represents a significant milestone in its retail journey. It positions Haven Greens alongside other trusted Canadian food producers that emphasize sustainability, transparency, and quality. The brand’s growing distribution network also includes food service clients in Quebec, Alberta, and the United States, expanding its reach well beyond provincial borders.
From Horse Racing Legacy to High-Tech Agriculture
Haven Greens’ story is deeply rooted in family and tradition. The operation was established by Jay Willmot, who transformed his family’s long-standing Kinghaven Farms from a world-renowned thoroughbred breeding operation into a forward-thinking agricultural enterprise.
Kinghaven Farms, founded by Donald G. “Bud” Willmot over five decades ago, was once synonymous with Canadian horse racing excellence. Today, under Jay’s leadership, it has evolved into a model of sustainable agriculture, merging legacy stewardship with technological innovation. His background in commerce, environmental studies, and law helped guide Haven Greens toward a vision that balances profitability with environmental responsibility.
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