Wilmington, OH – BrightFarms, a start-up revolutionizing the U.S. produce supply chain by creating the first national brand of local produce, today announced it will build a 160,000 square-foot greenhouse in Wilmington, Ohio, creating 30 permanent green collar jobs. Slated for completion in late 2017, it will provide 1,000,000 pounds of the freshest and most flavorful salad greens, herbs and tomatoes per year for the surrounding region.
A model for the future of local, low-impact farming, the BrightFarms Ohio Greenhouse will be the most sustainable source of local year-round salad greens, herbs and tomatoes in the Ohio market. In addition to creating jobs, it will significantly reduce food miles and improve the environmental impact of the food supply chain. “The nation’s best supermarkets are responding to consumer demand for fresher, tastier and more sustainable produce,” said Paul Lightfoot, CEO of BrightFarms, “and so demand for local produce like ours continues to grow extremely quickly.”
A cutting-edge, scalable solution to Americans’ increasing demand for local and sustainable food, the BrightFarms Ohio Greenhouse will use 80 percent less water, 90 percent less land and 95 percent less shipping fuel than traditional farming methods. All produce will be Non-GMO and pesticide-free.
“Wilmington is blessed to have cutting-edge agriculture locate here,” said Mayor John Stanforth. “This is a great example of the farm-to-table supply chain, which ensures fresh foods.”
The BrightFarms business model provides a steady supply and consistent pricing for local retailers, which, in turn, offers year-round access to consumers to the freshest produce available. BrightFarms’ unique ability to provide sustainable, local produce at a profitable, commercial scale is revolutionizing the industry and its thought leadership does not go unnoticed among local food enthusiasts.
“My restaurant, Bar Dumaine, relies on fresh, local ingredients,” said local chef Anne Kearney, “so it’s great that BrightFarms is opening a greenhouse in Wilmington to provide just that right in our backyard.”
BrightFarms, along with local public officials, will be announcing plans for the facility in an event at Wilmington College in the McCoy Room of the Kelly Center on Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m.
ABOUT BRIGHTFARMS:
BrightFarms grows local produce, nationwide. BrightFarms finances, builds and operates local greenhouse farms in partnership with supermarkets, cities, capital sources, and vendors, enabling it to quickly and efficiently eliminate time, distance, and costs from the food supply chain. BrightFarms’ growing methods, a model for the future of scalable, sustainable, local farming, uses far less energy, land and water than conventional agriculture. Fast Company recognizes BrightFarms as “One of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies” and one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Food” in the world.
Source: BrightFarms