Supermarket Perimeter - January 2021 - 48

hope that in installing our modular farms in Kensington and Fulham, we
can help to educate shoppers about the future of food. "
Jade Hoai, director of purchasing and operations at Whole Foods
Market, said the retailer was excited to partner with Infarm to offer a
hyper-local selection of greens and herbs across all of its London stores.
" Whole Foods Market customers can expect to ﬁnd fresh, unique
herbs from Infarm's vertical growing units like Bordeaux purple basil,
that are grown locally, have no pesticides, and use a fraction of the
traditional resources required to grow, " Hoai said. " We are excited about
this relationship for its joint commitment to environmental stewardship
and for the delicious, nutritious meals our customers will be crafting
at home. "
Whole Foods Market shoppers will be able to purchase Infarm's full
range of herbs, including Mountain Coriander, Flat Parsley, Basil, Mint,
Dill and Thai Basil. Infarm's range of fresh lettuce (Crystal, Caravel,
Duo and Red Romaine) will also be available to buy. Whole Foods
Market is also set to stock Nero di Toscana, Scarlet Kale, Sorrel and Red
Stem Mizuna.
Infarm has partnered with more than 30 major food retailers
including Amazon Fresh, Empire Company Ltd. (Safeway, Sobeys,
ThriftyFoods), Kroger and many other retailers throughout the world.
Infarm has deployed more than 1,000 farms in stores and distribution
centers, saved more than 7 million gallons of water and 400,000 square
feet of land, while harvesting more than 500,000 plants monthly,
according to the company.

High-tech, big investment
New York-based Gotham Greens, a pioneer in indoor agriculture
operating high-tech greenhouses located across the United States, has
raised another $87 million in new equity and debt capital, bringing the
company's total ﬁnancing to $130 million.
Gotham Greens operates one of the largest and most advanced
networks of hydroponic leafy greens-producing greenhouses in North
America. The company plans to use the latest funding to accelerate its
mission to decentralize food production and bring more fresh foods
to people across the United States through channel and geographic

market expansion, increased operational capacity and new product
development, said Viraj Puri, cofounder and CEO.
" 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, "
Puri said. " 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. "
Gotham Greens has doubled its revenue in the past year, bringing its
fresh produce and food products to retailers in more than 40 US states
through its network of high-tech, climate-controlled greenhouses. The
company's expansion has driven 80% growth in retail unit sales year
over year.
Gotham Greens has doubled capacity in the past 12 months by
opening new greenhouses in Chicago, Providence, R.I., Baltimore and
Denver. These facilities have expanded distribution of the company's
salad greens, herbs, salad dressings and sauces to new regions, including
the New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Mountain regions.
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.
The brand recently launched several new fresh, plant-forward
products, including new packaged salads, cooking sauces, and graband-go salad bowls featuring fresh Gotham Greens lettuce, Gotham
Greens salad dressing and delicious, protein-packed toppings.
Gotham Greens produce is grown using hydroponic systems in 100%
renewable electricity-powered greenhouses that use 95% less water
and 97% less land than conventional farming. Through its national
network of climate-controlled, data-driven greenhouses, Gotham
Greens grows and sells long-lasting, delicious leafy greens and herbs
along with a line of fresh salad dressings and sauces to retail, restaurant
and foodservice customers year-round.

Freight Farms
brings farms
into the city.

48 - JANUARY 2021

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FREIGHT FARMS

Produce: Urban farming

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