Mega Greenhouse Marks First Harvest That Will Be In 'Major Retailer' By October
BrightFarm's Wilmington greenhouse will be able to grow one million pounds of produce each year.BRIGHTFARMS
By Hannah Poturalski – Managing Editor, Dayton Business Journal
Aug 5, 2018
A mega greenhouse in Wilmington marked its first harvest this week in the $10 million hydroponic facility.
BrightFarms' 120,000-square-foot farm will have the capacity to grow one million pounds of produce each year and will supply supermarkets in Ohio.
"BrightFarms will be available at a major retailer this October and hopes to bring its fresh, local produce to a variety of retailers in the region," the company said in a release. The retailer was not disclosed.
An event with speakers and tours was held Aug. 3 to mark the first harvest of produce at the hydroponic greenhouse. Produce will include Sunny Crunch, an iceberg, and leafy green hybrid; Happy Beet, beet greens; arugula, romaine, kale, spinach and basil. Friday's harvest was sent to the Ohio State Fair.
"If consumers would like to see BrightFarms in their grocery store, they can contact the store's customer service to let them know," the release continued.
Speakers at the event included Mitch Heaton of Dayton Development Coalition; Wilmington Mayor John Stanforth; Clinton County Commissioner Brenda Woods; and representatives for Ohio Senators Rob Portman (R) and Sherrod Brown (D).
"As consumer demand for local produce has increased, BrightFarms is playing a key role for retailers that have struggled to source locally year-round," the company release said. "BrightFarms estimates that its Wilmington greenhouse will use 80 percent less water, 90 percent less land, and 90 percent less shipping fuel when compared to salad farms located in California or Arizona."
New York-based BrightFarms has three other greenhouse farms outside of Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. DBJ previously reported in May the greenhouse was hiring for 30 jobs.