Backyard Farms to hire 75 new workers

MADISON -- As part of its expanding operations, Backyard Farms, the largest New England greenhouse grower of vine-ripened tomatoes, will begin hiring 75 employees this month to work at its new greenhouse, which has been under construction since October 2008.

With its second greenhouse coming on line this summer, Backyard Farms will have a total of 42 acres of year-round greenhouse growing space, employing about 175 people.

Additionally, the company announced it has opened a corporate office in Portland, which is the new home for the company's senior-level business strategy, sales, marketing and finance functions.

"Given the current challenging economic environment, we are particularly proud to be adding jobs to the state of Maine that has consistently been very helpful to and supportive of our business," said Roy Lubetkin, president and chief executive officer, Backyard Farms. "By this fall, our new greenhouse will enable us to almost double our production of year-round, tomatoes-on-the-vine and offer new tomato varietals."

Governor John Baldacci praised both the company's expansion in Madison and the establishment of its office in Portland, stating, "I am pleased that Maine has been able to help Backyard Farms become a local business leader. The continuing growth of Backyard Farms and its contributions to Maine have been a real success story for the state and reaffirms our rich agricultural history."

Since its first crop in 2007, Backyard Farms has produced more than 30 million pounds of tomatoes for sale across the Northeastern U.S., approximately 35 percent of which were sold in Maine.

Applications for positions at the greenhouse can be accessed through the "Employment Opportunities" tab at www.backyardfarms.com.