The Green Giant Valley Visit: Growing the sweetest sweet corn

POSTED IN:
Corn, Growing

From August 16 to August 18, 2011, Green Giant hosted a group of bloggers in Le Sueur, Minnesota, in the valley where Green Giant has been growing vegetables for more than 100 years. The purpose of this Valley Visit was to teach the group about Green Giant’s long history of farming and some of the innovative vegetable-growing techniques that the company has developed and utilized over the years.

 

In this video, Regional Agronomist John Roby explains the Green Giant breeding program and how it improves sweet corn.

 

WATCH OTHER VALLEY VISIT VIDEOS:

Highlights from the event

Inside the test plant

Inside the corn-grading room

39 COMMENTS

Tink says:

None of Green Giant's seeds are GMO in the UK. But they ARE GMO in America.

5/1/2013 4:08:06 PM

sudden says:

are you people kidding me? it is OUR government who is responsible for poisoning, polluting, plundering, murdering, and otherwise exploiting ALL other countries! the FDA's standards are far far inferior to those most other countries! wake up!

4/6/2013 1:30:12 AM

sky says:

sorry for the re-peat no delete button here?!!

3/30/2013 7:39:59 PM

sky says:

the issue for me is China and Tibet's lack of freedom, don't mind other countries as long as health and hygiene rules are followed--but with such food travel miles why not Mexico or any south ******** countries so much closer-then China or India.. but would only ever buy organic tinned corn-cause of GM-till there is no longer organic available cause monsanto will cross contaminate at the first chance they get-they don't want competition of any sort-like they did with soya and animal feed--oh hey and what about their so-called golden rice..wake up OBAMA and stop this spreading greedy corporate monsanto bullying ....

3/30/2013 7:38:33 PM

sky says:

the issue for me is China and Tibet's lack of freedom, don't mind other countries as long as health and hygiene rules are followed--but with such food travel miles why not Mexico or any south ******** countries so much closer-then China or India.. but would only ever buy organic tinned corn-cause of GM-till there is no longer organic available cause monsanto will cross contaminate at the first chance they get-they don't want competition of any sort-like they did with soya and animal feed--oh hey and what about their so-called golden rice..wake up OBAMA and stop this spreading greedy corporate monsanto bullying ....

3/30/2013 7:12:09 PM

Roxanne says:

i'm from UK and i love green giant corn. so what if it is true that the corn is from China? people need to understand that the western lands are not particularly perfect. and how do you people expect them to produce good quality corn all year round without importing from other countries? don't forget that crops has a specific harvest season. their corn can be from any country where corn and other vegetables can grow and produce high quality ones.as long as it's not GMO i suppose it's ok. people are too fussy. those other brands that you would choose over green giant because you believe that GG source their corn from China, guess what? they get their corn/vegetables can from China too you just don't know it.

2/20/2013 5:06:49 PM

ramiro Alonzo says:

I what know the corn have gmo

2/8/2013 1:01:18 PM

Green Giant says:

Hi all, Green Giant grows and sources the vast majority of our veggies from inside the United States. However, with the goal of providing the best selection of produce for our consumers, Green Giant does source globally for certain vegetables. Wherever the food is from, we rely upon our experts to ensure that our ingredients are safe and of the highest quality.

2/5/2013 12:10:43 PM

Lilly says:

No more Green Giant products for me...

1/31/2013 5:27:20 PM

Sara says:

I love the way that this company refuses to answer the question of "Does your Company purchase vegetables grown in China." Simply question all it requires is a yes or no.

1/21/2013 9:55:23 PM

Another Barbara says:

Nope Nope Nope Nope Nope!!! Once other countries take over our food production, we are dependent on them. China has poisoned our childrens' toys. Why would we trust them with our food?

1/9/2013 6:19:18 PM

GLENN says:

I am so sorry that I am unable to purchase Green Giant vegtables, I refuse to buy any food product that is grown or packaged in China. It was a great 30 yrs, and enjoyed your products.I am sorry you choose to sell products not grown and packaged in North America. This is goodbye not farewell.

1/5/2013 5:20:38 AM

Atlantis CATS! says:

So Green Giant is GMO? The corn is GMO? I just shot them an email to find out. We don't need any GMO products! Okay ***** we have to find out who has NO GMO so we don't **** off the future generations.

12/4/2012 2:38:48 PM

andrew says:

I live in the UK. Up until now I would buy only organic sweetcorn, as I was not sure if I could trust your sweetcorn products are not toxic monsanto's GMO's. Yet I can't find your organic sweetcorn any more in Tesco for some reason. And I am nicely surprised to read you are not selling this toxic crops in your cans. Good job Green Giant! Have to read more review about you somewhere else to be completly sure, but I will be happily buying all your products, not only organic. Labelling your cans with information your corn is glyphosate and monsanto free would be itself great advantage..

11/24/2012 2:11:50 AM

Karen says:

Until they start growing vegetables on US soil, or at least in the western hemisphere, I will not be buying Green Giant products. I don't trust ******* inspections and it is costing us jobs here in our country.

11/11/2012 9:59:22 AM

Patricia says:

I purchased about a dozen cans of Green Giant Niblets at Costco here in Ottawa, Canada and the label specifies Canada Fancy. We are fortunate in this country because the law designates that the labels for food must contain certain facts about the product and I hope this never changes. There is irradiated milk on supermarket shelves, but it is labelled as such so the consumer may make their own choice. I hope the vote in the California referendum favours proper food labelling. I am completely against Monsanto GMO seed or any other seed like this. It is against human rights that GMO seed is foisted on an unknowing consumer and Monsanto should be prosecuted and stopped from doing this in my opinion.

11/3/2012 11:10:28 PM

Kim Rife says:

Yeah, I was going through our local grocery stores circular and saw Green Giant Veggies (canned) and thought I should check to see where the veggies in the cans come from. China, so not buying. And refuuse to buy ANY Products from Green Giant or sister companies until this changes

10/31/2012 2:42:56 PM

Jersey scared says:

Jersey has the best corn around, hard to know who is gmo and who is not. I am close to fifty, Please label your products. I am a big supporter and grew up with you Green Giant, put the label on. you will gain more customers too. Please.

10/24/2012 7:03:59 PM

Jan says:

I just saw a list that stated that some of your products contain GMOs. Are you working to remove those ingredients from your foods? And, are your canned vegetables GMO free?

10/22/2012 7:06:13 AM

dianne koslosky says:

disgusting...another corporation has sold out to China.

10/9/2012 10:57:28 AM

JamesF says:

Considering over 80% of corn and Soy is GMO (and no telling what else Monsanto has got their hands in) here in the USA I do not mind the outsourcing of healthy vegetable from other countrys and will start supporting your company and even more after you start labeling your products with a NoN-GMO label .

10/7/2012 12:42:08 PM

Sarahwilcox09 says:

My family would like to thank Green Giant for staying GMO free! I am 32 years old and I remember watching the commercials and wanting to eat that corn :) I can understand peoples wanting it to stay in USA soil, I would also but sometimes our climates are not as great as others at certain times. I hope more of your produce is grown here rather than over seas as I like to see our economy thrive. As long as green giant stays GMO free we will continue to support you. By the way we love your super sweet frozen cobs, My family of 6 needs two packs so there is no fighting over the last corn. Thank you from my family.

9/29/2012 9:13:12 AM

Liz says:

I also would like to know if GG canned corned is GMO. I bought a big can today, but it doesn't say of if it is or isn't. I don't know if I should keep the can or not. Im worried about my families health.

9/16/2012 11:39:17 PM

Kathy says:

I have always bought Green Giant, but now that I know that they are not grown in the USA, I will not ever but their products again. I was fooled by their advertisements, this is such a shame. I will be spreading the word of their deception.

8/16/2012 8:04:03 AM

Jennie says:

Am disappointed in Green Giants lack of integrity. Clearly you are avoiding the grown in China/India issues. There seem to be more and more people who now see Green Giant, not as a high quality, high standard vegetable producer but as a company that tries to deceive their customers. People don't like to be treated like fools and will look elsewhere for high quality foods. I don't mind paying a little more for organic local vegetables and am finally seeing more if this produce available. I may buy the odd Green giant product in a pinch but will now look to companies that use the growing practices I support. China is buying out our resources in Canada and will be processing our foods. This is a pretty precarious situation isn't it?? They are Communists and will hold control of everything we need to survive.

7/24/2012 12:19:53 PM

Nicky says:

Just received an email from a friend stating Green Giant Vegetables are coming from China. Now that I know it's true, not only will I not buy their products anymore, but I will be sure that every email contact of mine learns the truth. Perhaps if this goes viral, they will re-think buying from anywhere other than the US & Canada!

7/12/2012 4:23:58 PM

Ella says:

Well, from the answer given, skirting the China issue, that will take Green Giant canned and frozen vegetables off my grocery list.

7/2/2012 4:08:25 PM

Green Giant says:

Hi Denso, Our products are GMO free. We’ll consider your feedback about the labeling; thanks for your interest!

7/2/2012 10:25:45 AM

Denso says:

Hi, If is your product GMO free(?) why not labelled on the cans it(example sweetcorn)?

6/29/2012 6:14:25 PM

Carla says:

Wendy never got a straight answer to her question. I will put is this way; Which of your Green Giant vegetables are grown in China and why are they not grown here on US soil? Without a direct answer one would have to assume many or most are grown in China.

6/6/2012 12:17:30 PM

Louise says:

you didn't actually answer Wendy's question, are you selling vegatables grown in China?

5/31/2012 11:03:21 AM

Green Giant says:

Hi Marie, Rest assured that none of our seeds are GMO. We develop seeds in our research facility using traditional crop breeding methods, which protect crops and keep yields high.

5/29/2012 9:56:09 AM

mysweetmarie says:

PLEASE tell me that Green Giant will not give into EVIL Monsanto! We buy your brand of sweetcorn here in the UK but from what I gather, Monsanto will soon be the hitlers of world food and I cannot bear that thought for my children and future generations to come. We need to trust Green Giant will be big enough to keep Monsanto's gmo corn seeds AWAY from you! Thank you, Marie

5/29/2012 7:02:46 AM

Green Giant says:

Hi Wendy, To provide the best selection of produce for our consumers, Green Giant does source globally. Some ingredients are only grown in certain parts of the world and sometimes one region might offer superior conditions for growing a certain crop. Wherever the food is from, we rely upon our experts to ensure that our ingredients are safe and of the highest quality.

5/21/2012 9:04:51 AM

wendy says:

are any of green giant vegetables grown in china?

5/19/2012 2:43:21 PM

Tricia says:

@ Barbara: You beat me to THE question! @ Green Giant's response: <3 SMOOOOCHIES!

5/7/2012 8:50:32 PM

Green Giant says:

Hi Barbara, None of our seeds are GMO. We develop seeds in our research facility using traditional crop breeding methods, which protect crops and keep yields high.

4/23/2012 11:07:41 AM

Barbara says:

I love green giant products but would like to know if you are using the Monsanto GMO seeds for your sweet corn and other veggies. I am very concerned about this.

4/22/2012 2:09:26 PM

bob says:

i love greengiant

4/18/2012 9:05:02 PM

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