Leamington, Ontario – 2011 represents a significant milestone for Highline Mushrooms as it celebrates 50 years of supplying wholesome, nourishing food to families across North America. Founded in 1961, in Leamington, Ontario by Dr. Murray O’Neil, Highline has grown to become the largest mushroom grower in Canada and the third largest in North America.
Highline began operations in a small 8 room farm and has grown over the years to include 4 farms, 2 in Leamington, Ontario, one in Wellington, Ontario, and the newest in Kingsville, Ontario, along with a distribution centre in Montreal, Quebec. Original shareholders Willie and Joyce Zimmermann and Harry Enns are still active in the daily operations of the farm. “Survival and continuous growth for 50 years can only be achieved with the efforts and support of many,” says Highline Chair, Elizabeth O’Neil, daughter of founder, Dr. Murray O’Neil. “We are grateful for, and celebrate, our 1150 Associates, our customers across North America, our suppliers, and every member of our community who purchases our mushrooms to serve to their family.”
Throughout the years, Highline has celebrated many industry firsts, such as providing Canadians with Triple Washed Sliced mushrooms, the large-scale production of pesticide-free and organic mushrooms, and the development of unique, value-added formats, such as blended exotic mushrooms, ready-to-serve mushrooms, and Vitamin D mushrooms.
This past Saturday, Highline’s Leamington and Kingsville farms, comprised of over 800 Associates along with their families, came together to celebrate at the annual Highline Family Picnic. The picnic also celebrated the 2011 Highline Family Scholarship recipients from our Leamington and Kingsville farms. Highline scholarships are awarded to children and grandchildren of Highline Associates based on their grades, leadership abilities, community mindedness and the extent to which they embody Highline’s values: Excellence, Care, Respect, Effort, Integrity, Openness and Fairness.
Highline congratulates the following winners, and wishes them the best of luck with their upcoming school year!
Kingsville Farm
Jimmy Man Truong
Monn Ung
Gassim Elnour
Enulda Matare
Ryan Leforest
Phila Keo
Wellington Farm
Katie Byreiter
Matthew More
Christine Tran
Kendra Rushlow
Eric Tran
Leamington Farm
Judy Lai
April Klassen
Alex Friesen
Abeer Shaef
Highline Distribution
Sandy Lamery
Highline thanks all of our Associates, customers and communities for contributing to 50 years of consistent growth and success.
About Highline Mushrooms:
Highline Mushrooms is the largest mushroom farm in Canada. With four farms (Leamington, Kingsville, and Wellington, ON) and a distribution facility (Montréal, QC) Highline provides premier retail and food service clients across Eastern Canada and the Midwestern USA with a complete line of fresh, organic, dried, exotic, and stuffed mushrooms. Highline employs a diverse group of approximately 1150 people and is a supportive member of the communities in which it operates. For more information or to find out more about how Highline can better serve you, please visit www.highlinemushrooms.com.
Source: Highline Mushrooms