Is Indoor Farming The Answer to Agri-Woes? 80 Acres Farms Thinks So
By Mark Payne
June 20, 2019
Entrepreneurs and 80 Acres Farms co-founders Tisha Livingston and Mike Zelkind started their indoor farming journey after extensive work with food executives and farmers alike, hearing their struggles to produce quality food.
“There is a much better way to farm today, a much more effective way,” Zelkind said.
As you may have guessed, the duo believes indoor farming is the answer, solving issues related to the health of crops and the freshness of delivered food.
A tomato row. Courtesy Photo 80 Acres Farms.
“Our whole business model is that we will grow and harvest and deliver within a day to the region we’re in,” said 80 Acres Vice President of Marketing Rebecca Haders.
It works like this: 80 Acres grows most of its food hydroponically indoors, with “100 percent traceability from seed to package.” The company also eschews pesticides and controls the lighting where certain types of food are grown; with this much control, they can adjust the richness of the flavor of the produce.
Once a vegetable or fruit is ready to be harvested, it is delivered directly to one of the handful of grocery stores they work within the region, such as Whole Foods, Dorothy Lane Market and Jungle Jim’s International Market.
Hamilton vine. Courtesy Photo 80 Acres Farms.
Eliminating food miles is another goal of Zelkind and Livingston, who explained that when produce is hauled from Mexico or Canada or California, it effects the quality of the item.
“The only way to do [get produce to its destination] before it turns to mush is to pick before it’s ripe,” Zelkind said, resulting in food that’s missing critical nutrients and taste elements.
80 Acres work is not only trying to benefit the fruit and vegetables it grows, but also the environment. In fact, its farms utilize 97 percent less water than others, as well as renewable energy, in its work.
Basil grows under pink lights. Courtesy Photo 80 Acres Farms.
These results have resonated with investors, with 80 Acres announcing in January that it had received a $40 million investment from California-based private equity firm Virgo. The team will use the funds to build two farms in Hamilton in an effort to grow their operations in the region, ultimately creating what will be the first fully automated farms in the country.
Courtesy Photo 80 Acres Farms.