From overcoming devastation to becoming Canada’s largest root vegetable supplier, ATV Farms proves that resilience, innovation, and family values can drive incredible success.
It’s been a wild ride for ATV Farms.
What started as a family-run business has now grown into Canada’s largest root vegetable grower, packer, and distributor, thanks to their latest big move—acquiring Sunfresh Farms Ltd. in Edmonton, Alberta.
For the Agresti family, this isn’t just another business expansion; it’s a testament to their vision, hard work, and the unwavering support of their community.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with one of the family members, Anthony Agresti, to hear firsthand about ATV Farms’ journey, their challenges, and what’s next for the company.
Anthony and I started our conversation with a discussion about ATV Farms’ decision to acquire Sunfresh Farms.
For him, the decision to acquire Sunfresh Farms was all about the big picture. “We want to be able to service our customers from coast to coast,” he shared. “Sunfresh Farms was a perfect fit—it has a strong history in the root vegetable industry, and we needed a presence in Western Canada.”
This move isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about being smarter.
By having operations in both Eastern and Western Canada, ATV Farms can keep fresh produce flowing year-round. “If Western Canada runs out of product earlier, we can now supply from the East, and vice versa,” Anthony explained. “It also makes exporting into the U.S. a lot more seamless.”
Sunfresh Farms and ATV Farms both offer a large variety of local produce options. “Which means we can keep local produce available for longer,” he added.
As we continued, Anthony reflected on the devastating fire that destroyed ATV Farms’ head office and packaging facility and how the company managed to rebuild.
This expansion is even more incredible considering what the company went through just five years ago.
A fire destroyed ATV Farms’ head office and main packaging facility, leaving the family and their employees with nothing but rubble and uncertainty.
“I’ll never forget that moment,” Anthony recalled during our interview. “I got a call early on a Sunday morning, and at first, I thought it was something small—maybe some crates on fire. When I got there, I saw 100-foot flames. It was completely gone.”
Instead of crumbling under the loss, the Agresti family and their team took action, with the help of their community. “By the next morning, we had relocated to another local facility,” Anthony said. “Our entire staff showed up, and we didn’t miss a single shift. Not one customer order went unfulfilled. That’s something I’ll always be proud of.”
After five years of rebuilding, ATV Farms is now operating out of a cutting-edge facility that houses all aspects of the business, including Green Earth Organics, the company’s organic farming division.
They’re not stopping there either.
Just a year after moving in, they’re already expanding. “We don’t sit still,” Anthony said with a laugh.
Next, we explored ATV Farms’ dedication to sustainability and the innovative steps they’re taking to reduce environmental impact.
Growth is great, but for ATV Farms, it has to be done the right way.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do. “We’ve implemented a wastewater recycling system that keeps phosphorus out of the environment,” Anthony explained. “Starting fresh with a new facility actually gave us a chance to build everything exactly the way we wanted.”
The company is also making major strides in eco-friendly packaging. “For years, the biggest challenge has been cost,” Anthony admitted. “But we’ve worked with suppliers to bring that down. We’re using reusable crates, and we’ve found ways to make transport more efficient while keeping our products in top shape.”
As we wrapped up our conversation, Anthony shared ATV Farms’ future plans and how they’re continuing to grow.
So, you may be asking, what’s next for a company that’s already leading the industry?
For the Agresti family, the answer is simple: keep growing. “While some older generational farmers are stepping back, we’re stepping up,” Anthony said. “We’re acquiring more farmland every year to make sure we can continue offering local produce for longer.”
Their expansion isn’t just about land—it’s about building strong partnerships and ensuring that ATV Farms is always ahead of the curve. “Our facility was designed for future growth, and we’re actively expanding our supply chain across the country,” Anthony said. “We’re all in on Canadian agriculture, and we’re here to stay.”
At the heart of ATV Farms’ success is family. “My father started this business, and now me, my brother, sister, nephew, and even my son are involved,” Anthony shared proudly. “No matter how big we get, we’re always going to be a family business.”
With their dedication to quality, innovation, and community, ATV Farms isn’t just growing vegetables—they’re growing a legacy.
Watch my full conversation with Anthony here: