CDS Dining Hall Supports Local with Lettuce from King’s Haven Greens
With school out for the summer, CDS Chefs Richard and Julie had the unique opportunity to visit Haven Greens — Canada’s first fully automated hydroponic greenhouse, located just minutes from campus in King Township.
At Haven Greens, no human hands ever touch the lettuce from seed to harvest. The state-of-the-art system prioritizes water purity, eliminating the need to wash the pesticide-free produce. The result is a clean, safe, and sustainable product — and an ideal partner for Aramark, which has been sourcing Haven Greens’ Spring Mix since the facility opened in March. Buying local has long been a mandate of the Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall, but even the chefs were surprised by the scale and potential of this innovative operation.
Greeted by Founder and CEO Jay Willmot, the CDS team suited up in full HazMat gear before touring the 5-acre greenhouse. Jay, alongside Director of Cultivation Dominic and Chief Agricultural Officer Eric, led a detailed tour showcasing Haven Greens’ circular growing system. From seed planting to cutting, packaging, and recycling of organic matter — and even sterilizing the gutters before each new planting — the operation is a model of efficiency and sustainability.
Each variety has a tightly controlled growing cycle: 24–25 days for green and red leaf lettuces, and just 13–14 days for arugula and mustard greens. Sophisticated computer systems optimize internal weather conditions to ensure the plants receive 20 hours of light daily — natural or LED — to stay on schedule. Even the water is treated using UVC sterilization or reverse osmosis to eliminate potential pathogens and maintain optimal growing conditions.
Willmot, who holds a Master’s in Environmental Studies and a Law degree, previously led his family’s renowned thoroughbred breeding and racing business before shifting focus to sustainability. Since then, the Kinghaven brand has evolved to include honey production, solar energy generation, and now leafy greens — all with a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility.
Haven Greens’ mission is ambitious: to combat food insecurity, reduce Canada’s reliance on imported produce, and provide consistently fresh, high-quality greens year-round. In just a few months, they’re already supplying major grocery chains like Metro and Sobeys, with Mandy’s Gourmet Salads recently joining the list of clients.
While the lettuce has an official 18-day shelf life, Chef Perks notes that the spring mix served at CDS is on students’ plates within 24 hours of harvest, thanks to a local distributor, Bondi Produce. It’s a true farm-to-table experience — fresh, local, and delicious.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
