SGS AWARDS GLOBAL G.A.P. QUALITY STANDARD TO INDOOR FARMING COMPANY, INFARM

February 14, 2017

Berlin-based agricultural business INFARM has become the first indoor farming company to be awarded the GLOBALG.A.P. quality standard. SGS officially presented the GLOBALG.A.P. certificate at this year’s Fruit Logistica Trade Fair, in Berlin.

INFARM designs and installs vertical farms in urban areas, helping them become self-sufficient in their food production, while eliminating waste and reducing the impact on the environment. As part of this, INFARM has installed “in-store farms” inside two supermarkets – one in the METRO Cash & Carry, in Berlin, and the other in Makro, in Antwerp.

INFARM’s “in-store farms” grow an assortment of herbs, leafy greens and salads, using light, water and nutrient resources from within the self-contained growing environment. The plants are cultivated and harvested within the shop in which they are sold. This reduces transportation costs and the associated food-miles.

This award is an important step forward for INFARM. Many supermarkets require a valid GLOBALG.A.P. certificate from suppliers of agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture products before foodstuffs can be offered for sale. The presentation of the certificate at the Fruit Logistica Fair is an acknowledgement that INFARM is operating according to globally recognized good agricultural practices.

SGS, as the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, has plenty of experience of auditing to the GLOBALG.A.P. standard but, as Betina Jahn from SGS explains:

Usually vegetable farms or orchards are audited according to GLOBALG.A.P. Therefore, we first had to adapt the test criteria for the in-store farm. Our experts worked closely with the standard authority, FoodPLUS, to produce a reliable testing process. This can now be applied to all future vertical farming company audits.

SGS Agriculture & Food Services

SGS provides a comprehensive range of services to help manage risk, safeguard consumers, ensure correct storage and transportation, ensure quality and safety throughout the supply chain, and confirm compliance with complex legislation. Learn more about SGS’s Agriculture & Food Services.

For further information, please contact:

Betina Jahn
Head of Innovative Product Management
t: +49 4473 9439 0