Canada's McCain Foods Bets On Vertical Farming
Canada's McCain Foods Bets On Vertical Farming
Apr 16, 2018
Global potato products manufacturer McCain Foods has made a strategic investment in vertical farming technology as part of its innovation strategy.
The company has completed an investment in Canadian agricultural technology company TruLeaf Sustainable Agriculture, which develops proprietary indoor vertical farming technology to grow leafy greens year-round in an environmentally sustainable way.
Vertical farms allow for growing systems that can be located 'from the heart of an urban centre to remote communities with harsh climates,' and thus cut down on transportation and environmental costs, according to TruLeaf.
Innovation Strategy
McCain Foods said it is actively engaging with entrepreneurs in developing and commercialising agri-food technologies and that the TruLeaf investment is in direct support of the McCain's innovation strategy.
"McCain has a 60-year track record of advancing agricultural practices to the benefit of crop quality and environmental standards,” said McCain Foods president and CEO, Max Koeune. “Over this time, we have worked closely with many research institutions, technology partners and of course, our global network of growers.
“We remain committed to this approach and as such are always looking to partner with innovative businesses like TruLeaf to continue to set new standards for environmental care and efficient crop production, through advancing agricultural technology.”
Growth Potential
TruLeaf’s farms are located in close proximity to major urban centres, which allows for an environmentally sound path from farm to fork, according to its website.
The company currently sells its produce in retail and food service channels under the GoldLeaf brand in Atlantic Canada, from New Brunswick to Newfoundland. The McCain investment could see it grow its potential further afield.
Gregg Curwin, TruLeaf founder and CEO said, "We are extremely pleased to be entering this next phase of development and growth with such a strong leading global food company as McCain Foods.
“We believe this partnership will accelerate TruLeaf’s farm build-out, providing high quality, local, fresh produce to more Canadians while also expanding our reach to other countries around the world."
Vertical Integration
Vertical farms have been used by the retail industry before. French retailer Carrefour announced plans to grow its first ‘vertical garden’ in an outlet in the Paris region last July.
The garden is cultivated by using the aeroponics process where plants are grown without the use of soil.
The retailer previously brought its farm within arm’s reach when it opened its first urban gardens in April 2017 on the roof of the Villiersen-Bière hypermarket, in the Paris region, in partnership with the Bougainville de Brie-Comte-Robert farming college.
In the UK, Growing Underground has taken the urban farming concept to the next level by growing fresh microgreens and salad leaves 33 metres below the bustling streets of south-west London.
The company uses hydroponic systems and LED technology to grow its crops year-round in a pesticide-free environment and supplies retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Ocado and Whole Foods Market.
Fresh Produce tagged: Innovation / McCain Foods /Vertical Farming / TruLeaf
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Kevin Duggan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.