Wendy’s was the first quick-service restaurant company to make a major investment in produce grown in greenhouses. Why? Because we are always looking to improve the sustainability and quality of our ingredients, and we are excited about what we are seeing. In addition to growing produce year-round with exceptional flavor, higher quality and fewer (or no) pesticides, greenhouses also provide sustainability benefits and a temperature-controlled working environment.

• Tomatoes: Since 2019, we have been sourcing tomatoes for our U.S. and Canadian restaurants exclusively from greenhouse farms. This change has allowed us to source a more reliable product, typically more consistent in size, firmness and color that arrive at each restaurant fresh and flavorful. Greenhouse-grown tomatoes also make the most efficient use of water and fertilizer, eliminate runoff and use natural Integrated Pest Management methods such as beneficial insects like ladybugs to make pesticides a last resort.

• Lettuce: In 2020, Wendy’s transitioned the lettuce served in Wendy’s restaurants in Canada to greenhouse-grown lettuce. Our suppliers’ greenhouses capture waste heat and carbon dioxide, reducing emissions and creating a self-sufficient source of electricity and heating, while saving water (up to 90% savings from traditional growing methods). This lettuce is also grown without the use of pesticides. Wendy’s is actively exploring the potential for greenhouse-grown lettuce in the U.S.

• Potatoes: Among the potato suppliers of our Hot and Crispy Fries, Cavendish Farms received our 2021 Good Done Right Award, recognizing the company’s environmental sustainability practices. LambWeston Meijer, which supplies potatoes to several international Wendy’s markets, received an honorable mention award for the company’s sustainability strategy to advance food safety, quality, nutrition and health.