In the heart of Saint-Léon-le-Grand, Quebec, Bergeron & Sons, a family-owned potato farming enterprise, has reached a milestone by planting 1,860 acres of potatoes in 2024—a record for the company. Founded decades ago, this business has grown into one of the largest suppliers for Sobeys, exporting potatoes across North America. Its rise is a testament to how adapting to market demands and investing in technology can propel agricultural operations to new heights.
Isabelle and Sylvain Bergeron took over the business in 2007, and since then, they’ve pushed the boundaries of potato farming. Today, Bergeron & Sons packages an average of 65 million pounds of potatoes annually, not including bulk sales. What sets the company apart is its commitment to constant innovation and sustainable farming practices.
Technological Evolution and Market Trends
“The market is constantly evolving,” says Isabelle Bergeron. One example she gives is how packaging standards have changed over the years. When their parents began packaging potatoes in the 1990s, washing them wasn’t required. But as consumer expectations shifted, so did the company’s equipment, which was updated to accommodate this new standard. Packaging materials have also undergone a transformation, moving from jute to paper, and finally to plastic, in response to both client preferences and operational necessities.
In 2022, Bergeron & Sons made a substantial investment of $10 million to modernize their packaging facilities. This move allowed them to integrate automatic sorting systems, enhancing product quality, speeding up the packaging process, and enabling the company to fulfill orders more rapidly. The new facilities increased their packaging space from 30,000 to 100,000 square feet, a significant upgrade that has improved efficiency and product consistency.
Sustainable Agriculture at the Core
Sustainability is at the core of Bergeron & Sons’ farming approach. The company employs crop rotation techniques to maintain soil fertility and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. These methods not only contribute to healthier crops but also align with the growing consumer demand for sustainably produced food.
Working closely with agronomists, Isabelle and Sylvain select the best potato varieties each year, focusing on factors like flavor, yield, and disease resistance. On average, they cultivate around 20 different potato varieties annually, ensuring a diverse and resilient crop.
Bergeron & Sons’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond the fields. They grow potatoes across the Maskinongé region, from Saint-Étienne-des-Grès to Saint-Boniface, while continually exploring new methods to minimize their environmental impact.
Industry Recognition and Future Growth
The company’s forward-thinking strategies have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, Bergeron & Sons received multiple awards, including the “Bon Coup” from local mayors and the prestigious title of “Company of the Year” at Desjardins’ Soirée des Sommets. These accolades affirm the company’s leadership in the agricultural industry and provide further motivation to continue growing and innovating.
According to Isabelle, these recognitions “gave us a pat on the back,” encouraging the team to aim higher and push their achievements even further. The integration of cutting-edge technology, combined with sustainable farming practices, has positioned Bergeron & Sons as a leader in the potato farming industry, both regionally and internationally.
Bergeron & Sons exemplifies how family-run agricultural businesses can thrive by embracing innovation and sustainability. By continuously adapting to market changes and investing in new technologies, they have expanded their operations and gained a strong foothold in North America’s potato market. With their focus on sustainable farming, efficient processes, and high-quality produce, the future looks bright for this Quebec-based company. Their journey serves as an inspiring model for farmers, agronomists, and agricultural engineers who seek to balance tradition with modern demands in today’s evolving agricultural landscape.
