Fire at Pioneer Flower Farms

ST CATHERINES, Canada: “At approximately 11:00 pm on Friday, August 16, 2019, a devastating fire erupted on the premises of  Pioneer Flower Farms in St. Catharines, ON.  While largely contained, firefighters continue to extinguish smoldering areas.

The safety of our employees and the community is our top priority.  While we can confirm that no one was injured during this incident, business and personal losses have occurred.  We are saddened by this tragedy and are committed to supporting our workers (both local and migrant) through their losses and with continuity of employment.

We are cooperating fully with local officials to determine the cause of the fire, and will share more details as they are available.

We want to thank the first responders from multiple municipalities.  St. Catharines Fire Department remains on site to ensure the safety of the community.  Additionally, we want to thank the community and local business partners for their outpouring of support.  While we have not specifically requested donations, generous donations of clothing and other supplies have been received on behalf of our migrant workforce.  For those interested in future donations please drop them off at 318 Ontario Street in St. Catharines and Hernder’s Winery at 1607 8th Avenue in St. Catharines.

Pioneer Flower Farms Limited is one of the largest bulb forcing farms in North America producing over 40 million blooms per year. We work with the best bulb stock growers in Holland to produce quality cut flowers and potted plants at our facility in St. Catharines, Ontario. Our proximity to the US border and major highways allows us to service accounts in the United States and Canada. From large retail chains and wholesalers to local florists, our dedicated staff will provide you with quality products, competitive pricing and excellent service.”

In 1971, Henk Sikking purchased a farm in St. Catharines, Ontario. Using the experience he gained at his father’s bulb growing farm in Holland, he started a bulb forcing greenhouse business in Canada. Today, Henk along with his sons Henk Jr. and Peter, have built up one of the largest bulb forcing farms in North America producing over 40 million blooms per year.

Henk Jr. is in charge of the potted plant division and Peter runs the cut flower division while Henk Sr. oversees the entire operation. The Sikking family is involved from the planting stage right through to the time the product leaves the facility. This hands-on approach ensures that quality and efficiencies are maintained. The Sikkings work closely with a dedicated sales team to make certain that every order meets the customer’s specifications and delivery requirements. Multiple trips annually to Holland keep Pioneer up to date on the latest growing trends and techniques.