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E. coli Strikes Again
On November 10th, the CDC issued a statement alerting us that E.coli has struck again, this time in a pre-packaged single-head romaine after several people became ill from eating E. coli contaminated lettuce
The World Is Scary Enough Without Our Lettuce Trying To Kill Us.
On November 10th, the CDC issued a statement alerting us that E.coli has struck again, this time in a pre-packaged single-head romaine after several people became ill from eating E. coli contaminated lettuce.
This calls us back to the past two Novembers where salad mix and commercial romaine were mass-recalled surrounding the most popular eating holiday in the US: Thanksgiving.
You might remember, the shelves all looked like this:
No lettuce as far as the eye can see. Photo: Washington State University
Lucky for us, the food system is slowly changing (too slowly), so that when E.coli strikes some lucky consumers can turn to small-scale indoor farmers in their area for salad greens that are not only safe, but also very tasty.
We know E. coli is bad... but what, exactly, is it?
E. coli is a bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals.
That’s right...it’s inside of us.
Before you freak out, most strains of the bacteria are completely harmless. Unfortunately, the bad one that makes you sick (E. coli 0157:H7) is the one that’s currently in our lettuce. Womp-womp.
E. coli makes its way into the outside world… through poop. If the poop makes contact with food, you’ve got an E. coli contamination. If the poop makes contact with a lot of food, it becomes a full-on outbreak.
This isn’t just gross, it's dangerous. E. coli 0157:H7 causes intestinal infections (read: diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and fatigue). In severe cases it can cause bloody diarrhea (*silent scream*), dehydration, kidney failure… even death.
This is awful. How the heck did it get on our lettuce?
The best explanation we have is animal or human poop infected the soil or water source at a big romaine farm. The scary thing is, this is only an educated guess. Since people might not start getting sick until several weeks after harvest, it’s hard to go back and try to figure out what actually happened at Ground Zero (or even where Ground Zero is).
Feel like you’re having deja-vu?
That’s because this happened literally the past two years! In 2018 we had three E. coli outbreaks in romaine alone, the worst of which was in the spring: There were reported outbreaks in 36 states with 210 infected, 96 hospitalized and 5 dead. Only months later, another outbreak struck 12 states with 43 infected and 19 hospitalized just after Thanksgiving. Since then, romaine-related Ecoli has been popping up all over the place. The most frustrating part is that it usually takes the CDC months to investigate, meaning we don’t even hear about these outbreaks until well after the dangerous food is long-forgotten.
By now you’re probably thinking…
Before you denounce all salad, forever, we may have a solution.
The problem is with the system as a whole.
The reason that E. coli outbreaks are so widespread is because we source 95 percent of our leafy greens from a few farms in California and Arizona. Those greens (romaine included), get harvested and amassed at big distribution points before making their way cross-country to stores and restaurants. This means zero transparency into where the E. coli originated, making it difficult to eradicate. Not to mention, a lack of regulations prevents any actual accountability. The result? We keep eating the nasty stuff, and more people get sick.
One solution is surprisingly simple… decentralization.
This problem wouldn’t exist if we moved away from a centralized food system to a distributed one with small indoor farms. Here's why:
(1) Small, indoor farms create total environmental control with all types of fancy filters and regular water tests. Plus, this prevents exposure to two common sources of E. coli: contaminated soil and animal waste.
(2) Decentralization = transparency. Lettuce from small farmers isn’t changing hands, like, a million times. In the event of an outbreak, we can easily trace it back to its source to confirm that it’s safe to eat. With a shorter supply chain, this process take days, not months.
(3) While chances of contamination in a small indoor farm are much, much, much smaller… it is theoretically possible. Distributed production means, even if you do have one contaminated small farm, the exposure is contained, so it’s still safe to eat lettuces from other local farms.
Cultivar Boston | Massachusetts, @chefmarydumont @cultivarboston
These are all things we know a lot of our farmers' customers appreciate about the Leafy Green Machine. Throughout this whole ordeal, they've had access to safe greens in their neighborhoods.
It’s always rattling to see how fragile our food system can be, and we hope this whole hoopla motivates policymakers, wholesalers, and shoppers to think more about how we source our food.
Want to be the change you want to see in the world?
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VIDEO: Pete's Introduces Hydroponically Greenhouse Grown Packaged Salad Varieties
Available in four varieties — Benevolent Butter, Hydro Spring Mix, Indoor Romaine and Nice & Crunchy — Pete’s Greenhouse Fresh offers environmentally-conscious consumers a range of fresh and sustainable packaged salad varieties that use 90 percent less land and water compared to field grown product
December 17, 2020
Pete’s, the California-based produce company specializing in hydroponically grown living lettuce and cress varieties in addition to butter lettuce wrap kits, will debut an innovative and sustainable new line of packaged salad varieties, Greenhouse Fresh, in retail locations in and around the West Coast in early January.
Available in four varieties — Benevolent Butter, Hydro Spring Mix, Indoor Romaine and Nice & Crunchy — Pete’s Greenhouse Fresh offers environmentally-conscious consumers a range of fresh and sustainable packaged salad varieties that use 90 percent less land and water compared to field grown product.
These indoor-grown lettuce varieties are also protected from outside elements and do not use triple washing post-harvest the same way many traditionally grown greens do, resulting in less water used during the harvesting process.
In addition, Greenhouse Fresh packaging containers are made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled material, are 100-percent recyclable, and their flexible, resealable closures use less plastic and emit less CO2 than rigid plastic closures.
Pete’s is also partnering with 1 percent For The Planet, pledging 1 percent of Greenhouse Fresh sales to The Recycling Partnership in an effort to help improve the recycling system.
“We are honored Pete’s chose to expand its dedication to sustainability by joining The Recycling Partnership, and by nominating The Partnership to receive funds through its 1 percent For the Planet commitment, ” said Beth Schmitt, senior vice president of corporate engagement at The Recycling Partnership. “Pete’s investment helps us further our goals of assisting every household to recycle more, recycle better, and to catalyze a circular economy.”
Pete’s is an employee-owned and operated company, and all team members play a key role in the company’s short and long-term sustainability efforts.
“All of us at Pete’s are thrilled to introduce a line of packaged salad varieties, that as we like to say, are as green as greens can get,” said Brian Cook, chief executive officer of Pete’s. “At Pete’s, we work as a team and everything we do, we do for the greater good of people, of the planet and of course our leafy greens. Greenhouse Fresh is a perfect example of how our new products ladder back to our broader company mission, vision and values.”
Pete’s Greenhouse Fresh will be available at West Coast area retailers beginning in January and can be found in the Produce Department.
Food Trends Suppliers Should Know to Stay Ahead of the Curve in 2021
With growing concerns about climate change, sustainability and healthy living, 2021 will bring new trends to the food industry. Plant based foods are expected to increase in popularity as more people try to consciously live a more sustainable life.
From insects and pumpkin-seed oil to Brad Pitt-branded wine and transparent packaging, these are the food trends expected to take the U.S. by storm in 2021.
What Will People Be Eating in 2021?
It’s predicted that Americans will be consuming a lot more of the following foods and drinks in 2021:
Insects — According to Forbes, 2.5 billion people around the world eat cooked or raw insects regularly. Many in the U.S. still consider the concept of insect consumption a little grotesque, but attitudes are expected to shift in the coming months with several startups, including Exo cricket protein bars in New York, securing significant funding from investors.
Boxed wine — It’s hard to believe that boxes of wine were considered classy before they were tacky. But in 2021, consumer appreciation for boxed wine is predicted to return. It’s easier to store, cheaper to transport, generates half the carbon dioxide emissions, and has a longer shelf life than its glass-bottled counterparts.
Alternative oils — Whole Foods Market predicts that consumers will become more experimental in their use of oil, choosing walnut, pumpkin seed, and sunflower seed oil over traditional options like olive oil.
Celebrity alcohol — There was an arguably better time when everyone knew someone who wore the Britney Spears perfume. But in 2021, it’s all about Brad Pitt’s rosé and Cara Delevingne’s prosecco, as alcohol brands and vineyards look to drive revenue through partnering with big-name celebrities.
Kombucha — Kombucha is a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink that first hit the mainstream in 2018. Since then, its health benefits have been lauded, and the drink has been growing in popularity. It’s gluten-free and can be filled with live probiotic cultures.
Sweet and Umami — The Green Seed Group suggests that the big flavor combination of 2021 will be umami and sweet. Think rice infused with fish sauce caramel and nori and pork floss.
How Will People Be Eating in 2021?
It’s not just what people eat and drink that will change in 2021, but the entire culture surrounding it.
COVID-19 has contributed to a rise in passionate amateur chefs. With so many people spending much of 2020 stuck at home with extra time on their hands, cooking has become something of an outlet. Indeed, 74% of respondents to a Sensodyne/OnePoll survey said they used cooking as a coping mechanism to manage the stress of being at home, 44% have learned a new recipe, and 32% have taken online cooking classes.
Reduced access to on-the-go, takeout food has seen breakfast truly become the most important meal of the day, and the demand for interesting and diverse breakfast recipes will increase into 2021. Cooking enthusiasts are also investing more time and effort in making baby food and looking for creative takes on staple meals.
Coupled with this newfound enthusiasm for cooking is, unsurprisingly, a newfound enthusiasm for health and wellbeing. Forbes reports that 54% of American consumers care more about the healthfulness of their food and beverage choices in 2020 than they did in 2010. This will see demand for superfoods, probiotics, and supplements grow in 2021, with many food suppliers already incorporating functional ingredients like vitamin C which promise to support the immune system. In a June 2020 survey conducted by GlobalData, 23% of global consumers confessed to stockpiling vitamins and supplements.
COVID-19 has certainly driven Americans to evaluate the relationship they have with food and drink but, fortunately, extreme diets and food fads are expected to lose popularity in 2021. Instead, people are expected to take a healthier and more sustainable approach to healthy living by embracing balance and moderation.
How Will Food and Drink Be Packaged in 2021?
Before COVID-19, food and drink packaging was headed in a very sustainable direction, with consumers increasingly concerned about excess waste and ocean-bound plastics.
But the pandemic has led to increased concerns about biosafety, particularly surrounding the packaging of food and drink. In recent years, many retailers have committed to eliminating unnecessary packaging, but some of these efforts will likely be undone in 2021 due to health and safety concerns and retailers’ desire to reassure their customers. Starbucks, for example, banned the use of reusable cups at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite these setbacks, developments in sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging will continue in 2021.
Other trends will include an increase in transparent windows within food packaging that allow consumers to assess product quality, and QR codes, which can verify product and ingredient claims.
How Will Attitudes to Sustainable Living Change in 2021?
More than two-thirds of consumers want to ensure their everyday actions have a positive impact on the environment. This includes an interest in sustainably produced items, and a shift towards the consumption of plant-based proteins: in 2020, 28% of Americans ate more proteins from plant sources than they did in 2019. Another sustainability trend will see food suppliers up-cycling underused ingredients in a bid to reduce food waste.
Although the year 2021 won’t include a country-wide shift to veganism, retailers can expect increased demand for plant-based food as consumers commit to a more balanced diet and look to reduce their meat and dairy intake.
Image Credit: Rido / Shutterstock.com
Laura Ross Dec 15, 2020
Indoor Ag-Con Announces Inaugural Advisory Board
Committee of Industry Leaders From Indoor Agriculture, Grocery, Specialty Food, Commercial Real Estate, Hemp, Other Sectors To Provide Guidance, Insights To Help Shape 2021 Exposition & Conference
INDOOR AG-CON ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF
INAUGURAL ADVISORY BOARD
Committee of Industry Leaders From Indoor Agriculture, Grocery, Specialty Food, Commercial Real Estate, Hemp, Other Sectors To Provide Guidance, Insights To Help Shape 2021 Exposition & Conference
LAS VEGAS (December 15, 2020) – Indoor Ag-Con, the premier trade show for the indoor agriculture | vertical farming industry, announces the formation of its inaugural advisory board. Bringing together industry leaders from across the agriculture supply chain – from indoor farming to grocers to commercial real estate – the new board will advise and help shape the educational conference and exhibition floor offerings of the May 16-18, 2021 edition of Indoor Ag-Con and other new initiatives planned for the coming year.
"As we look at the challenges and opportunities the Covid-19 crisis has brought to live events and indoor agriculture, it’s more important than ever that we work with a group of recognized thought leaders in the industry to act as our Advisory Board to guide us in the right direction as we plan our 2021 event,” said Nancy Hallberg, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con.
“Taking this a step further, we wanted our board to include leaders from key industry sectors that drive and intersect with indoor agriculture, like grocery business, commercial real estate, alternative crops and others,” adds Brian Sullivan, co-owner, Indoor Ag-Con. “For 2021, successful indoor agriculture business development strategies will be the primary focus for our event. The insights and intelligence we’ll gather from these successful leaders of indoor agriculture, as well as a number of the sectors our attendees and exhibitors hope to do business with, will go a long way in shaping meaningful content, networking and exhibition opportunities.”
2021 Indoor Ag-Con Advisory Board Members Include
Samuel Bertram, CEO | Co-Founder, OnePointOne, Inc.
Julie Emmett, Senior Director, Retail Partnerships Plant Based Foods Association
Greg Ferrara, President & CEO, National Grocers Association
Henry Gordon Smith, CEO & Managing Director, Agritecture
Marni Karlin, Executive Director, CEA Food Safety Coalition
Tracy Lee, Division Lead, CEA Department, Sakata Seed Company
Jody McGinness, Executive Director, Hemp Industries Association
Tim McGuinness, Sterling Advisory Group & Former SVP, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Chris Nemchek, President, Coach Global Solutions & Former SVP, Specialty Food Association
Matt Roy, Vice President of Business Development Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), Tanimura & Antle
E. Austin Webb, CEO & Co-Founder, Fifth Season, Powered By Robotany
Nona Yehia, CEO | Co-Founder ,Vertical Harvest
For 2021, Indoor Ag-Con will co-locate with The National Grocers Association (NGA) Show, the leading trade show and conference for independent grocers. The combined event will be held at the new Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas from May 16-18, 2021. The NGA Show and Indoor Ag-Con visitors will have access to all exhibits, and discounts will be available for cross-over educational event attendance.
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the premier trade event for vertical farming | indoor agriculture, the practice of growing crops in indoor systems, using hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic techniques. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis |hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. In December 2018, three event industry professionals – Nancy Hallberg, Kris Sieradzki and Brian Sullivan – acquired Indoor Ag-Con LLC , so setting the stage for further expansion of the events globally. More information: https://indoor.ag
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Indoor Ag-Con, 950 Scales Road, Building #200, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States
VIDEO: Reviving Urban Life - An Innovative Soil-Based Indoor Vertical Farm That Brings The Production of Food to The Place It Is Consumed
One revolutionary agro-tech company, Vertical Field (www.verticalfield.com), is harnessing the power of geoponic technology, agricultural expertise, and smart design to tackle all of these issues and more
VERTICAL FIELD’S NEW PORTABLE FARMS ARE MAKING
THE WORLD MORE SUSTAINABLE – AND BETTER FED
Consistent Supply
Reduces Inventory Waste
Less Human Handling
More Sterile Environment
[DEC 9, 2020, New York/Rana’na, Israel] – Urban areas contain more than half the world’s population and contribute to some 70% of the planet’s energy emissions. Cities guzzle the bulk of Earth’s resources and produce more waste. Many residents live in “urban food deserts.” And buildings are literally making their occupants sick.
Vertical Field’s Urban Crops offers an ideal alternative to traditional agriculture. The soil-based platform can grow hundreds of types of crops – pesticide-free, indoors or outdoors – and requires no training to operate.
Our planet is home to some 7.7 billion people. In many places, hunger is a reality. Unpredictable climate patterns are threatening the availability and stability of fresh produce. Yet the global population is rising. How will we feed the world by the mid-21st century, when an expected 10 billion of us need food? And now in-light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food supply chain is in jeopardy more than ever before -- the need to bring food easier and faster directly to consumers is more important than ever.
One revolutionary agro-tech company, Vertical Field (www.verticalfield.com), is harnessing the power of geoponic technology, agricultural expertise, and smart design to tackle all of these issues and more. The Israeli startup – cited by Silicon Review as a “50 Innovative Companies to Watch in 2019” and named by World Smart City in 2019 as “Best Startup” – produces vertical agricultural solutions that help the environment, improve human health conditions, cut down on human handling, reduce waste, and make fresh, delicious and more produce available 365 days a year locally and directly to consumers and other end users.
“Vertical Fields offers a revolutionary way to eat the freshest greens and herbs, by producing soil based indoor vertical farms grown at the very location where food is consumed,” said Vertical Field’s Chief Executive Officer, Guy Elitzur of Ra’anana, Israel who is hoping to place his ‘vertical farms’ in retail chains and restaurants establishments in cities throughout the US.
“Not only do our products facilitate and promote sustainable life and make a positive impact on the environment, we offer an easy to use real alternative to traditional agriculture. Our Urban farms give new meaning to the term ‘farm-to-table,’ because one can virtually pick their own greens and herbs at supermarkets, restaurants or other retail sites,” he adds.
Vertical Field’s Urban Crops offers an ideal alternative to traditional agriculture, especially in urban settings where space is scarce. The soil-based platform can grow hundreds of types of crops – pesticide-free, indoors or outdoors – and requires no training to operate.
From Wall to Fork
Vertical farming in cities is an energy-efficient, space-saving, farming alternative to traditional crops grown in acres and fields. Thanks to Vertical Field, everyone from city planners and architects to restaurants, supermarkets, hotels are using vertical farming to create lush, green edible spaces in congested areas around the world.
Portable Urban Farm
An alternative to the living wall is Vertical Field’s unique Vertical Field®, which can be placed in either a 20-ft or 40-ft. container equipped with advanced sensors that provide a controlled environment. This technology constantly monitors, irrigates, and fertilizes crops throughout every growth stage. Healthy, high-quality fruits and vegetables flourish in soil beds that contain a proprietary mix of minerals and nutrients.
Advantages of Vertical Field’s Vertical Farm:
Bug-free and pesticide-free – healthy, fresh, and clean produce
Less waste – uses 90% less water
Shorter growing cycles, longer shelf life
Plants are “in season” 365 days/year - grow whatever you want, no matter the weather or climate conditions of the geography
Consistent quality
Modular, expandable, and moveable farm
Automated crop management
More Sterile Environment
Less Human Contact
Creating a more sustainable way of life in cities across the globe has never been more urgent. Vertical Field is responding to the challenge today. Green cities will enrich life in urban areas, provide healthier and better food, and shorten the distance between consumers and their food.
About Vertical Field: Vertical Field is a leading agro-tech provider of vertical farming and living green wall solutions for urban environments and smart cities. The company is operated by professionals, agronomists, researchers, and a multi-disciplinary team, enabling the development of smart walls that combine the best of design and manufacturing, smart computerized monitoring, soil-based technology, water and lighting technology, and more. Vertical Field delivers next-generation vertical farming systems for a global clientele, including Facebook, Intel, Apple, Isrotel, Microsoft, and many more.
This Modular Hydroponics System Will Give You Fresh Vegetables Year-Round
If you want to enjoy fresh home-grown produce while also adding some greenery to your home, then consider the hydroponics system made by Rise Gardens
Rise Gardens Makes Growing Food
Easy With Its simple Setup And Handy App.
December 18, 2020
Hank Adams (Rise Gardens)
If you want to enjoy fresh home-grown produce while also adding some greenery to your home, then consider the hydroponics system made by Rise Gardens. This clever system grows more than 60 types of vegetables and herbs, including beets, eggplant, peas, green beans, celery, cucumbers, different variations of peppers and tomatoes, as well as rooted plants and microgreens. These can be grown anywhere in a home, thanks to built-in LED lights.
This is the only modular system on the market, which means you can buy whatever size you want and keep adding to it if you need more room to grow food. It can be built up to three tiers high, and those tiers can be set at different heights to accommodate plants of different sizes. A smaller countertop-sized Personal Garden is available for those who don't want to take up floor space with the Family Gardens.
Each of the levels holds a lot of plants. A company representative told Treehugger, "The single unit can hold up to 36 plants, and the largest unit can hold up to 108 (compared to competitors that can only hold a maximum of 30 plants). The Personal Garden can even hold up to 12 plants on its own."
Hydroponics may be a fancy-sounding word, but Rise Gardens has made the process incredibly simple. It takes only 45 minutes to assemble your garden (which is made of coated wood, not plastic, and makes for a much nicer aesthetic in the home), then you use the WiFi-enabled function to connect to an app on your smartphone that will tell you exactly what your plants need. (This step is optional.) Plant the seed pods provided by Rise Gardens by putting them into holes in the tray, then add water and plug in the system. Eventually, you'll add liquid nutrients, as well.
Hank Adams (Rise Gardens)
Rise Gardens assures that the plants will flourish in water. Through hydroponics, plants can grow larger than in soil because "they don’t have to work as hard to obtain nutrients. The plant doesn’t require an extensive root system, allowing more growth above ground." They also grow 25-30% faster, thanks to that direct contact with nutrients, and they require less water due to reduced evaporation and runoff.
While Rise Gardens does admit that soil-grown produce is more nutritious ("There is no way to compete with the power of sunlight and good soil, it's just the best"), keep in mind that the produce you buy at a store is usually picked unripe and transported from far away, which causes it to lose nutrients anyway. It could also be sprayed with pesticides, so you are still ahead by growing your own hydroponically. Plus, it's beautiful and convenient to have these vegetables flourishing in your own home.
Hank Adams (Rise Gardens)
The app is an interesting added feature, telling you exactly what your plants need at any given moment – whether they're low on water, how far along their growth is, if you should tweak their nutrient plan, etc. It also lets you set a schedule for the lights.
Rise Gardens is worth checking out for anyone interested in gardening. It's too late now for Christmas ordering, but units will deliver in early January – a little something to brighten a long, dark winter and add a satisfying crunch to your salad plate.
AppHarvest’s Mega-Indoor Farm Offers Economic Alternative To Coal Mining For Appalachia
AppHarvest is taking advantage in the new wave of high-tech agriculture to help feed a growing population and increase domestic work opportunities in a sustainable manner.
Inside AppHarvest's 60 acre state-of-the art indoor farm in Morehead, KY.
In the first year of business, Jonathan Webb and his growing team at AppHarvest are riding high on what he calls the “third wave” of sustainable development: high-tech agriculture, following the waves of solar energy and electric vehicles. Since launching the concept in 2017, Webb and AppHarvest have raised more than $150 million in funding while building and opening one of the largest indoor farms in the world on more than 60 acres near the Central Appalachian town of Morehead, Kentucky.
For Webb, who grew up in the area and has a background in solar energy and other large-scale sustainable projects, AppHarvest is both a homecoming and a high-profile, purpose-driven venture that addresses the need for additional production to feed a growing population and reduce imported produce.
Webb’s vision for AppHarvest was inspired in part by a National Geographic article on sustainable farming in the Netherlands, where indoor growing is part of a national agriculture network that relies on irrigation canals and other innovations. He traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to see the farmers in action, then decided it was a venture he wanted to pursue — in his home state of Kentucky, where the coal industry is in decline and unemployment levels are on the rise.
“Seeing that the world needs 50% to 70% more food by 2050, plus seeing that we’ve shifted most of our production for fruits and vegetables down to Mexico — produce imports were tripled in the last 10 to 15 years,” he says. “I would go to a grocery store, pick up a tomato, and it could be hard, discolored. That’s because it’s been sitting for two weeks on a semi truck, being bred for transportation. So first it was seeing the problem, then asking, ‘How do we solve the problem?’”
As part of my research on purpose-driven businesses and stakeholder capitalism, I recently talked with Webb about AppHarvest’s whirlwind initial year in business, successful investor fundraise, plans to go public, and B Corp Certification.
Good for Business, Good for Community
Jonathan Webb, founder and CEO of AppHarvest
“Where we’re doing what we’re doing is incredibly important. One of our biggest competitive advantages, frankly, is doing it here,” he says. “Some of the hardest-working men and women are the people in this region that power the coal mines, and all we’re trying to do is tap into that and harness that passion. It’s good for our business, but it's good for communities.”
The location has been central to AppHarvest’s benefit in another way, Webb says, as local enthusiasm for the project enabled swift construction that likely would’ve been a challenge in some other regions.
“It's all about economies of scale. We have to build a really big facility to get our costs on materials down so that we can compete with products that are being imported into the country from Mexico,” he says. “We built one of the largest facilities in about a year, so speed and scale are definitely advantages for the company, and a lot of that’s possible based on where we’re operating here in this region.”
While the Bluegrass State has been a good home for AppHarvest, Webb wants the business to be a resource for nearby communities and a beneficial workplace for residents.
“A fundamental part of the way we’re building and growing this company is that every entry-level employee gets full health care, full benefits, living wage, paid time off. So we’re not just creating jobs, we’re creating a lifestyle for your career path,” he says. “We want to see people with high school degrees in this region grow with the company and be assistant growers and head growers three, four years from now. I know this region, and I know what people can do here. Those are the success stories that I look forward to having happen.”
Creating Positive Stakeholder Impact
Producing needed food and building a stronger workforce aren’t the only goals at AppHarvest; Webb says growing produce sustainably, with minimal impact on the environment, also is paramount.
“We’re land constrained in the world, and water constrained. And we have to grow a lot more food and use fewer resources,” he says. “It’s simple in theory; it’s complex in scale. Just the fact that the place is so big is what makes this challenging. But we’re collecting rainwater on the roof and using it directly on the root of the plants. We’re growing hydroponically, and as a result we can use 90% less water than open field agriculture.
“The way we treat water and handle water and how we use rainwater efficiently is the really biggest driver of resiliency long term for us.”
In building a business to have a positive impact on workers, community, and environment, Webb also created a company that is a natural fit for the B Corporation community made up of businesses that achieve a certification based on how well they incorporate all stakeholders into their policies and practices.
“The impact side of this is incredibly important. We didn’t chase certifications,” he says. “We just did the right things: We’re paying a living wage, we're offering health care. It’s the right way to do business. And as a result, we get a huge ROI on our dollar.”
Thanks to its bottom-line success and future promise, AppHarvest has found favor with investors, including Martha Stewart and venture capitalists; and is part of a growing cohort of businesses with a social purpose that are finding traction in the public markets. The company announced in September that it’s going public through a combination with special purpose acquisition company Novus Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: NOVS).
“Why are we going public now? Because full transparency in agriculture is desperately needed,” Webb says. “We want the people who buy our fruits and vegetables to also have the ability to buy into our company. We want the record. We want the institutional rigor. It’s hard to have this spotlight this early, but it’s making us stronger.”
Christopher Marquis, Contributor
Gotham Greens Raises $87m Series D Funding To Decentralize Food Production
The round brings Gotham Greens’ total funding to $130 million. Although the Covid-19 pandemic made for a more complicated fundraising process, there was a silver lining, according to the startup’s CEO Viraj Puri. “It revealed opportunities in the food supply chain, which is really the core of what our mission is – to transform how and where fresh produce is grown,” he told AFN
December 9, 2020
Image credit: Gotham Greens
The indoor ag space is on fire this year and Gotham Greens is stoking the coals. The New York-based startup just raised an $87 million equity and debt round led by Colorado VC Manna Tree with participation from Florida real estate and private equity investor The Silverman Group and others.
The round brings Gotham Greens’ total funding to $130 million.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic made for a more complicated fundraising process, there was a silver lining, according to the startup’s CEO Viraj Puri.
“It revealed opportunities in the food supply chain, which is really the core of what our mission is – to transform how and where fresh produce is grown,” he told AFN.
“Supermarket retailers were facing a lot of voids on the shelf and it really provided an opportunity for us to fill some of those voids and be nimble. It was relatively easy for us to move from foodservice customers to food retail customers.”
Invest with Impact. Click here.
Founded in 2009, Gotham Greens operates a network of leafy greens-producing greenhouses across North America. It claims to use 100% renewable energy to power its greenhouses, which use 95% less water and 97% less land than conventional open-field farming.
Greenhouses vs vertical farms
There is quite a bit of tech under the greenhouse hood, as well. Gotham Greens has been ramping up its use of automation and data science in its climate-controlled greenhouses.
When it comes to tech, Puri sees a key differentiator between greenhouse operations and vertical farming businesses.
“We believe that the benefits of greenhouse farming currently outweigh those of vertical farming, which is an exciting extension of modern greenhouse farming. There are still some open questions around the technology and the financial sustainability primarily because fully indoor growing environments rely on artificial light,” he explained.
“Even though they can theoretically offer much higher yields and levels of climate control compared to modern greenhouses, those benefits will come with significantly higher capital and operating costs.”
Gotham Greens sells branded salad greens, herbs, salad dressings, and sauces. It claims to have doubled its revenue over the past year, selling its leafy greens in more than 40 US states and across 2,000 retail stores including Whole Foods, Albertsons, Meijer, Target, and Sprouts. It has doubled its capacity in the past 12 months by opening new greenhouse operations in Chicago, Providence, Baltimore, and Denver.
The new round of funding will be used to fund expansion into new channels and geographic markets, increase capacity, and development of new products. It has recently launched new products including grab-and-go salad bowls, packaged salads, and cooking sauces.
Although one may wonder how many products a startup can derive from a few core crops, Puri said there is plenty of whitespace left to explore.
“There’s channel diversification, there’s pack size diversification. There are just different ways to grow even within that category,” he said.
Can greenhouse startups keep up the pace?
There have been a slew of indoor ag fundings in 2020 despite the pandemic. Kentucky-based greenhouse tomato grower AppHarvest raised $28 million, added Martha Stewart and Impossible Foods’ chief financial officer to its board, and later went public at a $1 billion valuation. New York hydroponic greenhouse startup BrightFarms raised a $100 million Series E while Plenty scooped up a $140 million Series D to research strawberry cultivation with new investor Driscoll’s.
One cannot help but wonder whether consumers or investors will soon have had their fill of leafy greens and micro-herbs, or whether this space has some serious leg room left.
“On balance, I think the momentum is a good thing. I think we still play such a small role in the total addressable market,” Puri said. “If you look at leafy greens alone, it’s estimated to be about a $15 billion category in the US and Canada. Current indoor production is around 1% of that. I think there is a lot of room for growth and multiple winners.”
Container Farm With Carousel Systems Doubles Yield
Aeroponics and vertical farming are not new. The rotating system is. For this unique system that has emerged from the collaboration patent is pending
At the food bank in Maassluis, in the Netherlands, they eat very special lettuce these days. Remarkable in taste and cultivation. Below, Vincent and Chris van der Gaag of Urban Agrotech and Boris Prins of Fixum Solutions explain the story. The men developed a container farm with a unique rotating system. For three years, the project was kept a secret, but this month The Plant Factory became public.
"After a while, we could no longer distribute the entire yield among our family and friends," says Chris. As a greenhouse builder with extensive experience in the industry he and his son, who has a background in engineering, came up with the idea a few years ago to 'do something new'.
Chris and Vincent van der Gaag of Urban Agrotech and Boris Prins of Fixum Solutions in front of the 12-meter-long container farm.
Proven concept
A container was bought and experimenting could begin. Vincent: "We did a lot of trials and tried different setups. All possible plugs and fertilizers were covered, but finally, after three years, we have a proven concept. It is a unique concept that allows us to double the yield compared to the usual container farms on the market.”
Here is where Boris comes in. He joined father and son Van der Gaag to also think about and contribute to the container farm. In collaboration with Brent van Paassen of Van Paassen Techniek, it resulted in a pneumatic-driven system where lettuce and herbs make a lap through the container according to a first-in, first-out principle. This while the lettuce and herbs grow in self-developed vertical cultivation towers in which a fertilizer mist is sprayed onto the roots. "This aeroponic way of cultivating means that the roots of the plants can absorb the fertilizers better, partly due to the increased oxygen content," says Vincent.
Boris and Vincent in the demonstration container, in which only one rotating system is built so visitors can see how it works.
Patent pending
Aeroponics and vertical farming are not new. The rotating system is. For this unique system that has emerged from the collaboration, the patent is pending. But all the other parts of the container are also well thought out. Vincent: “We work with an air handling unit that can handle up to 3,000 cubic meters per hour. As a result, the total air content of the 12-meter container is circulated every 90 seconds. The water that evaporates in the container is stored. For the on average 6,000 plants in the container, only 30 to 40 liters of water needs to be added every day."
Energy consumption is also as low as possible. The LED light spectrum bulbs, with which the container is equipped, contribute to the lower consumption. “Due to the high quality of the lighting, we have noticed that we need fewer micromoles than is normally applied to lettuce. This means that we need fewer lamps, of which we do not need to cool their heat."
Beautiful white roots, that's what growers like to see. Automatic control of the fertilizer and irrigation unit helps to achieve this. EC and PH sensors determine the quantity of fertilizer in the irrigation water. A second reading checks the first reading, after which an alarm may be triggered if abnormal values are detected.
Steady climate
It is also striking that the climate is almost the same throughout the cell. That's not always the case, Vincent knows. "Temperature differences are often a problem in vertical farming. Because we have 0.3 meters per second of air circulation and we inject the air between the plants, the temperature between the lower and upper cell only varies by 0.2 degrees Celsius. That's very little.”
The men admit that they don't have green thumbs. Yet the container farm has spectacular yields. "We started working together with cultivation specialist Ton Enthoven. He is a highly-valued colleague and has contributed a great deal to the development of the technical aspect of the container farm. All this to make sure the plants get exactly what they need.
The photo on the right: the lettuce grows in vertical cultivation towers, so the picture is projected correctly
“The dill and basil we grow in the container have a very intense taste and could be kept in a fridge for a long time.” That basil is also successful is not self-evident. It's difficult to cultivate basil. "After many trials, we selected lettuce and herbs that can be grown together in a single container with the current configurations. These are butterhead lettuce, lollo bionda, incised lettuce, parsley (flat-leaf and curly), basil, coriander, mint, dill, and celery. In the meantime, we continue experimenting with other crops to expand the product range.”
Convenience
Even two products with different growing cycles from that list can be grown in the container at the same time. Boris: “This is possible because the container is equipped with two rotating carousels. There is also no path in the middle, so as many plants as possible fit in the container.” Vincent adds: "In the container a small space is reserved for the technical equipment and as workspace. Here the plants are bred, planted, harvested and processed, all on about 4m2.”
They target growers that have little to no experience. "The container should make it easy for growers. The system is nearly plug & play. Growers should not have to worry about it. As long as they take care of sowing, harvesting, packaging, and filling the fertilizer drums, and cleaning the growing towers. For one person, that's 3.5 hours of daily labor."
Not in the picture, but the climate unit is behind the container. The climate unit is still quite big, but the men know that it can be a lot smaller. New containers will be fitted with those smaller ones. It further reduces energy consumption and gives more space.
Potential customers
The first container is owned by Ton in Belgium. He's busy testing new crops. Urban Agrotech installs the container and provides a two-day start-up support. There will probably be a lot of demand for the containers from restaurants, supermarkets, in remote areas with difficult cultivation climates or on ships. Chris: "A container ship can take up to 12 weeks to go from Rotterdam to Australia. If you have a container farm on the boat, you will have fresh food every day without too much hassle. We have been doing the same. Good to see, after years of development behind closed doors.”
For more information:
Urban Agrotech
Oud Camp 4b
3155DL Maasland
The Netherlands
www.urban-agrotech.com
info@urban-agrotech.com
+31 (0) 638 256 400
Fixum Solutions
Westlandseweg 11
2291 PG Wateringen
The Netherlands
www.fixumsolutions.nl
info@fixumsolutions.nl
18 Dec 2020
© HortiDaily.com / Contact
AUSTRALIA: Can Urban Areas Become A Powerhouse For Horticultural Production?
Hort Innovation, a grower-owned research corporation, is working with a consortium led by agricultural consultancy RMCG in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and urban agriculture consultancy Agritecture to assess the potential of emerging production technology and its application in urban Australia
DECEMBER 18, 2020
Australia is looking to become more engaged with the global swing to high-technology horticulture in urban areas.
High-tech urban hort is being implemented across the world using vertical farm systems, hydroponics and aquaponic systems and nearly fully automated production as well as rooftop, underground and floating farms.
Hort Innovation, a grower-owned research corporation, is working with a consortium led by agricultural consultancy RMCG in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and urban agriculture consultancy Agritecture to assess the potential of emerging production technology and its application in urban Australia.
They are looking at the potential benefits for growers and Australia through the wider use of technology such as vertical farm systems and hydroponics in food production and delivery systems.
Hort Innovation CEO Matt Brand said bringing such technology to Australia would attract capital and new entrants to the sector with new ideas, approaches and mindsets.
NO URBAN MYTH: CEO of Hort Innovation Matt Brand said the research and development corporation was keen to explore the potential for increased horticultural production in urban areas.
"It gives us the opportunity to grow more from less and to keep demonstrating the good work that Australian growers do, day in day out, providing food to families both here and overseas.
"Urban in this context also captures regional areas and hubs. Growers will use the technology as part of the overall production mix. It's another production system that will be part of the diversity and variety that is Aussie horticulture," he said.
"High technology horticulture may have the potential to play a significant role in increasing Australia's horticulture sector value and help achieve Australia's target of a $100 billion industry by 2030."
The feasibility study aims to identify the opportunities and challenges for high technology horticulture in urban Australia.
The outcomes of the study will identify future priorities for research, development and extension activities and investment into Australian high technology horticulture in urban areas.
The study is being guided by an industry-led reference group including growers and emerging commercial leaders engaged in urban high technology horticulture in Brisbane and Sydney, members of local city councils, and subject-matter experts in protected cropping.
Greenhouse and hydroponic consultant Graeme Smith said these new systems were the modern face of horticulture that should complement the current supply chain in a key range of nutritious and delicious produce.
Lead photo: PERFECTLY RED: Hydroponics has enabled the intensive production of premium quality tomatoes and other horticultural staples in protected environments.
This story Can urban areas become a powerhouse for horticultural production? first appeared on Farm Online.
VIDEO: ‘It’s Wonderful’: C.O. Veterans Ranch-Grown Lettuce A Restaurant Hit
The restaurant is using the romaine lettuce on their wraps and salads, which co-owner Menoula Stanitsas said has been a hit with customers
By Blake Allen
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- At the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch north of Bend, vets have been using horticulture for the past few months as a way of healing.
Orion Carriger runs the ranch greenhouse where he, alongside a team of veterans, have begun growing lettuce.
He said Sunday that in the beginning of the project, the team donated all of their lettuce, as they didn't yet have a buyer.
However, in recent months, the veterans' lettuce caught the eye of a Bend Mediterranean restaurant, Kefi.
The restaurant is using the romaine lettuce on their wraps and salads, which co-owner Menoula Stanitsas said has been a hit with customers.
"We've been very happy with the lettuce," she said. "It's so much softer than your regular romaine. It's basically baby lettuce -- it's wonderful."
That's a win for Carriger and the ranch, as proceeds from lettuce sales go back into the program.
"I think there's a real sense of pride for people to have a product in the market like that," he said.
For veterans like Marine Bryan Senner, it feels good to know where the product he's been working on is going.
"There's not many places you can go and spend your day working with people who have had similar experiences to you, and then go home at the end of the day and with a positive experience, and knowing you've accomplished something good for the community," Senner said.
The ranch is currently in the midst of a fundraising campaign to expand their program.
VIDEO: Things Are Still Blossoming On Fifth Avenue
David Litvin, Crop specialist at 80 Acres Farms, hasn't stopped growing cherry tomatoes since the pandemic. Earlier this year, the container farm was installed outside the Guggenheim museum, as a part of the 'Countryside' exposition
It's quiet and silent in the City, like never before. There are no people to be seen on the streets. Restaurants, bars, and shops are closed. The grimness has replaced the former liveliness. Walking around the corner at Fifth, something's glowing in the darkness. When approaching nearer, there are many blossoming cherry tomatoes to be found.
David Litvin, Crop specialist at 80 Acres Farms, hasn't stopped growing cherry tomatoes since the pandemic. Earlier this year, the container farm was installed outside the Guggenheim museum, as a part of the 'Countryside' exposition. The exhibition aimed to emphasize the importance of the countryside and show possible solutions that are decisive for the future of our planet.
Have a look at the video below to see what David's daily visit to the farm looks like.
For more information:
80 Acres Farms
www.80acresfarms.com
Publication date: Mon 14 Dec 2020
Author: Rebekka Boekhout
© VerticalFarmDaily.com
Hort Innovation To Explore High-Tech Solutions
In a release, Hort Innovation said the use of technology, such as vertical farm systems and hydroponics, in food production and delivery systems have the potential to redefine horticulture by optimising yield, quality, and supply
17th December 2020, Melbourne
Six-month project to assess potential of emerging production technology and its uses in Australian urban landscape
A modular farm in Brisbane using high-tech horticulture.
Hort Innovation has announced it has teamed up with a consortium led by agricultural consultancy RMCG in partnership with University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and global urban agriculture consultancy Agritecture, to assess the potential of emerging production technology and its application in the Australian urban landscape as part of a six-month project.
In a release, Hort Innovation said the use of technology, such as vertical farm systems and hydroponics, in food production and delivery systems have the potential to redefine horticulture by optimising yield, quality, and supply.
“High-technology horticulture is being implemented in urban areas across the globe using vertical farm systems, hydroponics and aquaponic systems and nearly fully automated production as well as rooftop, underground and floating farms,” it said in a statement.
Hort Innovation chief executive Matt Brand said bringing the technology to Australia would help attract capital as well as new investment to the sector with new ideas, approaches and mindsets.
“It gives us the opportunity to grow more from less and to keep demonstrating the good work that Australian growers do, day in day out, providing food to families both here and overseas,” explained Brand.
“Urban also means regional areas and hubs. Growers will use the technology as part of the overall production mix. It’s another production system that will be part of the diversity and variety that is Aussie horticulture.
“High technology horticulture may have the potential to play a significant role in increasing Australia’s horticulture sector value and help achieve Australia’s target of a A$30bn industry by 2030,” he added.
The feasibility study aims to identify opportunities and challenges for high technology horticulture in urban Australia. It will identify a range of high technology systems and assess their suitability to urban Australia by considering four key areas.
This includes how the technology fits within current regulations and planning requirements, farm input and waste, supply chain logistics and social, environmental and economic requirements.
Hort Innovation said the project will include a high-level literature review, modelling of the social, economic and environmental impacts and detailed analysis of how the economics of high technology urban systems compare to traditional farming systems.
The outcomes of the study will identify future priorities for research, development and extension activities and investment into Australian high technology horticulture in urban areas.
The study is being guided by an industry-led reference group including growers and emerging commercial leaders engaged in urban high technology horticulture in Brisbane and Sydney, members of local city councils, and subject-matter experts in protected cropping.
Enjoyed this free article from Produce Plus Magazine and its team of editors? Don't miss out on even more in-depth analysis, plus all the latest news from the fresh produce business. Subscribe now to Produce Plus Magazine.
HortiPower Helps You Make Your HPS Lights Smarter
Several greenhouses are choosing hybrid lighting in which they combine LED lights and HPS lights. An issue with hybrid lighting however is that HPS lights are often not individually controllable, but rather by the whole row or group
A commonly used connector in horticulture is the Wieland rst20i3. Both HPS lights and LED grow lights are using this in the greenhouse and vertical farm.
Several greenhouses are choosing hybrid lighting in which they combine LED lights and HPS lights. An issue with hybrid lighting however is that HPS lights are often not individually controllable, but rather by the whole row or group.
With the HortiPower timer, growers are now able to turn the individual HPS lights on and off. The timer has a wifi-chip on board and supports max. 16 amp which means up to 6 grow lights of 600W with 230V.
The timer is controllable with MQTT protocol through the Amazon Web Services (AWS). Power measurement is possible as well.
The timer gives growers the ability to really choose which lights should turn on or off. Growers may use sensors and climate computers to make that decision for them and automation is possible through an API.
Watch a short intro here.
HortiPower | Right Light. Better Growth
HortiPower makes plant-centric lighting solutions for tissue culture, vertical farms and greenhouses.
For more information:
HortiPower
Indoor Agriculture Company Gotham Greens Raises $87 Million In Equity And Debt Capital
Gotham Greens operates one of the largest and most advanced networks of hydroponic leafy greens-producing greenhouses in North America where the demand for indoor-grown produce is rapidly increasing
By Annie Baker ● December 15, 2020
Gotham Greens — a pioneer in indoor agriculture operating high-tech greenhouses located across the United States — announced it has raised $87 million in new equity and debt capital, bringing the company’s total financing to $130 million. And the capital raise includes Gotham Greens’ recent Series D round led by Manna Tree and joined by The Silverman Group and other existing investors. Gotham Greens is known for operating one of the largest and most advanced networks of hydroponic leafy greens-producing greenhouses in North America, where the demand for indoor-grown produce is rapidly increasing.
And Gotham Greens grows and sells long-lasting leafy greens and herbs along with a line of fresh salad dressings and sauces. The brand recently launched several new fresh, plant-forward products, including new packaged salads, cooking sauces, and grab-and-go salad bowls featuring fresh Gotham Greens lettuce, Gotham Greens salad dressing and protein-packed toppings.
Gotham Greens operates one of the largest and most advanced networks of hydroponic leafy greens-producing greenhouses in North America where the demand for indoor-grown produce is rapidly increasing. And Gotham Greens grows and sells long-lasting, delicious leafy greens, and herbs along with a line of fresh salad dressings and sauces. The brand recently launched several new fresh plant-forward products, including new packaged salads, cooking sauces, and grab-and-go salad bowls featuring fresh Gotham Greens lettuce, Gotham Greens salad dressing, and protein-packed toppings.
And Gotham Greens has doubled its revenue in the past year, bringing its fresh produce and food products to retailers in more than 40 U.S. states through its network of high-tech, climate-controlled greenhouses. And the company’s expansion has driven 80% growth in retail unit sales year over year.
Gotham Greens has doubled capacity in the past year by opening new greenhouses in Chicago, Providence, R.I., Baltimore and Denver. And these facilities have expanded distribution of Gotham Greens’ salad greens, herbs, salad dressings and sauces to new regions, including the New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Mountain regions. Plus Gotham Greens products are available in more than 2,000 retail stores, including Whole Foods Market, Albertsons Companies (Safeway, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s), Meijer, Target, King Soopers, Harris Teeter, ShopRite and Sprouts. The company’s items also are available for purchase through grocery ecommerce sites, including AmazonFresh, FreshDirect and Peapod.
KEY QUOTES:
“Given increasing challenges facing centralized food supply chains, combined with rapidly shifting consumer preferences, Gotham Greens is focused on expanding its regional growing operations and distribution capabilities at one of the most critical periods for America. We’re dedicated to changing how people think, feel and interact with their food while decreasing the environmental footprint of the traditional produce supply chain.”
— Viraj Puri, Co-Founder and CEO of Gotham Greens
“Manna Tree brings a global network of investors and shares our mission and commitment to expand access to healthy, sustainably-grown fresh produce. Our industry-leading crop yields and capital efficiency in building and operating indoor farms continues to attract strong support from both new and existing investors and underscores Gotham Greens’ value proposition and category leadership position.”
— Eric Haley, Co-Founder and CFO of Gotham Greens
“Gotham Greens is the fastest-growing indoor farming company in the United States today with a track-record of profitable, commercial-scale production. The pandemic has revealed flaws in America’s food supply chain system, particularly in the produce category, and new leaders and innovators need to emerge to ensure a stable food supply for the future. We believe Gotham Greens’ brand, highly scalable business model and leadership team position the company to be the market leader in the rapidly growing and changing landscape.”
— Brent Drever, Co-Founder and President of Manna Tree
Pure Flavor® Launches Live Deliciously® Magazine For Holiday Season
“The new Live Deliciously® Magazine is just one part of our strategy to create great content that we can share across all our channels to encourage people to eat more fresh fruit & vegetables”, said Veillon
Leamington, ON (December 16th, 2020) – To inspire families to get back in the kitchen this holiday season, Pure Flavor® recently launched their first edition of the Live Deliciously® Magazine, a 20-page digital magazine that features flavors for every style and appetite.
“Without any in-person sampling opportunities like trade shows or community events over the last 9 months, we encouraged our various brand partners to create even more content that could be shared digitally in key regions where we have strong retail relationships”, said Chris Veillon, Chief Marketing Officer.
The first edition of the digital magazine, called the “Holiday Flavors Guide”, features 18 mouth-watering dishes from various social influencers from around North America. From D-I-Y Charcuturie Boards to Vegan inspired dishes to a variety of snacks, apps, and tasty main courses, all featured recipes include a wide variety of Pure Flavor®’s greenhouse grown vegetables that are available year-round.
Pure Flavor® has seen significant spikes in website traffic as well as double digit growth this year across its social channels. The brands digital content strategy is to create an I-C-E based approach to consumer engagement:
I = Inform
Raising awareness for the brand of products
C = Connect
Explain how product fits the lifestyle; serve up content that creates a connection; emotional purchases, types of use
E = Educate
Product characteristics: FAB’s (features & benefits), how to use in the kitchen; pairings, ‘Goes Well With…’
“The new Live Deliciously® Magazine is just one part of our strategy to create great content that we can share across all our channels to encourage people to eat more fresh fruit & vegetables”, said Veillon.
To view the first edition of the Live Deliciously® Magazine, please visit https://www.pure-flavor.com/holiday-flavors-guide
-30-
About Pure Flavor® -
Pure Flavor® is a family of greenhouse vegetable growers who share a commitment to bringing A Life of Pure Flavor™ to communities everywhere. Our passion for sustainable greenhouse growing, strong support for our retail & foodservice customers, and focus on engaging consumers is built on a foundation drawn from generations of growing expertise.
We are the next generation of vegetable growers, inspired to put quality, flavor, and customers first by providing greenhouse-grown vegetables from our farms that are strategically located throughout North America.
SOURCE: Chris Veillon | chris@pure-flavor.com
Chief Marketing Officer | Pure Flavor®
T: 519 326 8444
First Tapkit In The USA (Texas) Helps Out With Local Food Production
With a background of more than 30 installations in Israel, South Korea, Mauritius and the Philippines, the TAPKIT hydroponic systems is now celebrating the first installation in Houston Texas. The TAPKIT is a 500 m2 hydroponic unit, which can produce 6-12 tons of leafy vegetables and fresh herbs per year. It includes a growing system, packing station and plant nursery
With a background of more than 30 installations in Israel, South Korea, Mauritius and the Philippines, the TAPKIT hydroponic systems is now celebrating the first installation in Houston Texas. The TAPKIT is a 500 m2 hydroponic unit, which can produce 6-12 tons of leafy vegetables and fresh herbs per year. It includes a growing system, packing station and plant nursery.
Due to the COVID-19, all the installation process and the operation training, was done remotely. The day to day operation is supported by i-Droponix. This mobile app contains all the information needed, including crop advice on specific climate conditions, water quality and hundreds of FAQs
"As the TAPKIT offers affordable solution for the "farm to table" trend in the USA, we see great potential for it all around the state," says Avner Shohet, CEO of TAPKIT.
Over the last couple of years, 4 models of TAPKIT were created. "For different types of climate areas," Avner explains: "Sub-tropic, Tropic, desert and cold areas."
"With small adoptions to each climate, we are looking for the most ecological way to grow, by using the sun-light, recycling the water , and minimizing any effect on the environment."
For more information:
Teshuva Agricultural Projects
60 Nof Harim St., Olesh, 42855 Israel
+972-9-8940507
+972-50-7922579
+1-201-5803003
avner@taprojects.com
15 Dec 2020
CANADA: Sustainable Agriculture With LED Lighting
GoodLeaf opened it’s fully commercialized, a state-of-the-art vertical farm in Guelph in 2018. This after many years of research at its pilot farm that opened in Truro, Nova Scotia in 2015
11-12-2020 | Philips Lighting
CANADA, Ontario, Guelph- GoodLeaf opened it’s fully commercialized, a state-of-the-art vertical farm in Guelph in 2018. This after many years of research at its pilot farm that opened in Truro, Nova Scotia in 2015.
We wanted a partner that could help us scale the business. ''
-Jeff McKinnon, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President | Photo Courtesy of Philips Lighting
The Challenge
For GoodLeaf it’s all about sustainability. The facility incorporated innovations to enable the use of sustainable farming practices to execute on expectional product quality. With lighting being a primary component, GoodLeaf had specific needs they expected from a lighting solution and provider. The envisioned lighting solution needed to provide scalability whilst being energy efficient. GoodLeaf was looking for a true partner.
The LED lighting solution
“We’ve been using the Philips products since Generation one back in 2013; we did a lot of testing against the T5 light bulb. The Production Module Gen 1 performed well, they held up over time compared to competitors, using them ever since”, says Jeff McKinnon, CFO and VP at GoodLeaf. Over time GoodLeaf worked with 12 different providers of LED lights but in Signify found the partner they were looking for to move forward and to scale their business.
For their 45000 SQF multilayer growing facility in Guelph, Goodleaf installed Philips GeenPower LED production modules. The light recipe was designed in collaboration with the Truleaf design team and engineers together with the plant specialists of Signify. The installed lighting system delivers optimal lighting uniformity.
Benefits
As a branded producer, GoodLeaf Farms produces and packs fresh, nutritious, and pesticide-free micro and baby greens year-round for Canadian consumers. They expect to grow and harvest approximately 1 million pounds of fresh produce per year at their automated growing facility in Guelph. Plant specialists of GoodLeaf and Signify meet monthly to discuss optimizing their crop growth recipe. As part of the partnership, GoodLeaf has greatly improved the predictability of its fresh produce. In addition, Signify and GoodLeaf worked together to obtain a sizable utility rebate from the company’s hydro provider in Ontario. McKinnon said, “The partnership with Signify has been very advantageous to GoodLeaf. We will work with them on a go-forward basis and very much look forward to that”.
GreenPower LED Production Module Static Grow Light
A static module for multilayer applications with the ideal light recipe for higher yield, better quality, higher propagation success rates, and year-round production. Suitable for multilayer, indoor cultivation of leafy greens, microgreens, and herbs.
Source: Philips Lighting
Header photo: Screenshot from GoodLeaf Farm video on youtube
New Partnership Brings Clean Energy To Indoor Farming
The benefits of indoor farming–including chemical-free food production unrestricted by seasonality, climate change and water scarcity–have been recognized globally and are driving rapid industry growth
Hydroponic vertical container farming company Freight Farms and Arcadia, a monthly subscription service connecting renters and homeowners across the U.S. to clean energy, have partnered to provide Freight Farms’ U.S. customers with access to clean energy for their everyday operations. With this partnership, Freight Farms and Arcadia are taking the first critical stride to align their respective industries, moving indoor farming into a more sustainable future.
The benefits of indoor farming–including chemical-free food production unrestricted by seasonality, climate change and water scarcity–have been recognized globally and are driving rapid industry growth. While it has made significant advancements in resource efficiency, the industry continues to struggle with the sustainability of electrical power use.
Together, these two companies are moving towards addressing this limitation by connecting Freight Farmers to affordable clean power at a time when the nation’s grid is dominated by fossil fuel. With an Arcadia membership, Freight Farmers can choose to match their electrical use with wind and solar energy, which will also help create more demand for clean energy providers overall.
Without changing anything in their day-to-day operations. Freight Farms’ customers can now connect the utility for their container farm to Arcadia to match 100% of the farm’s electrical usage with clean energy.
Clean energy accessibility
“Our farmers are passionate about sustainability by nature of their efforts to grow healthy food hyper-locally. But many are unable to adopt clean energy directly based on cost and availability of options in their location,” said Rick Vanzura, Freight Farms’ CEO. “With Arcadia, our farmers are able to further reduce their business’ carbon footprint while simultaneously increasing demand for more clean energy in the market.”
“Arcadia was built so that anyone anywhere can use our platform to access clean energy,” added Alexa Minerva, senior director of partnerships at Arcadia. “We’re excited about partnering with Freight Farms to make it possible for farmers to reap the benefits of renewables, potentially save money and combat the effects of climate change.”
Freight Farms’ modular container model makes this partnership uniquely possible within the indoor farming industry, as large agricultural enterprises use too much energy for community solar projects, which are capped at a relatively small size by state law.
Connecting to clean energy
Without changing anything in their day-to-day farm operations, Freight Farms’ customers can now connect their utility through Arcadia in two minutes. Upon connection, Arcadia will begin matching 100 percent of the Freight Farm’s electricity by purchasing an equivalent amount of wind and solar energy in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). The result reduces Freight Farmers’ carbon footprint to one-quarter of industrial farming operations. Based on location and other factors, Arcadia can also help farmers save on their electricity bills.
Memberships are available in two options:
As enabled by state law, farmers located in MA, RI, NY, IL, CO, MD and ME can sign up to access the community solar power market and will see a reduction in their electricity bills.
All other U.S. Freight Farmers can sign up for $5/month to access clean energy.
Innovation in sustainability
The partnership with Arcadia is the latest initiative in Freight Farms’ history. Freight Farms’ Greenery has been involved with technological advances driving greater sustainability within the sector. The Greenery uses 98.9 percent less water than industrial farming--even achieving water-positive operations in certain locations. The Greenery’s proprietary fixed lighting arrays also leverage LED market technology to triple light energy output without an increased corresponding energy draw. The result is a growing platform that pairs the highest potential yields with resource efficiency.
Freight Farms’ pioneering modular design enables hyper-local farming anywhere, including harsh climates and urban areas lacking land access, reducing food production carbon impact in other ways as well. Transportation missions are reduced or eliminated and irrigation isn’t necessary. Hyper-local farming also reduces food waste by providing consumers just-picked produce with freshness, flavor and shelf life, says the company.
15 Dec 2020
PODCAST: Pest Control
In this Podcast, we’re going to discuss using biological pest control or using none at all
Joe Swartz & Nick Greens | 12/11/2020
In this Podcast, we’re going to discuss using biological pest control or using none at all