NEW YORK and OKLAHOMA CITY — Today BrightFarms and Homeland Stores announced a partnership to build a greenhouse for the 76-store Oklahoma supermarket retailer. BrightFarms will finance, build, and operate a greenhouse at a Homeland Stores location, supplying them with fresh, local produce year-round. Homeland Stores committed to buy BrightFarms' produce by signing the grocery industry's second long-term Produce Purchase Agreement (PPA).
BrightFarms builds greenhouses and grows produce directly at supermarkets and distribution centers, delivering produce that is thousands of miles fresher, more flavorful, and better for the environment. BrightFarms brings the farmers market to the supermarket, partnering with local farmers to grow lettuces, tomatoes and herbs.
Consumers are demanding more locally grown produce. In a recent study by Mintel, 52% of consumers said locally sourced products were more important to them than organic products.
Darryl Fitzgerald, CEO of Homeland Stores, said, "We're excited to partner with BrightFarms and offer our consumers a year-round supply of fresh local produce. This partnership supports our commitment to sell the absolute freshest produce and our commitment to the community."
Paul Lightfoot, BrightFarms CEO, said, "Homeland Stores is a terrific partner for BrightFarms. Homeland is committed to purchasing more local produce, and we are excited to provide their customers with produce grown by Oklahomans for Oklahomans."
About Homeland Stores
HAC, Inc. operates 75 stores in Oklahoma and one in Haysville, KS, under the banners of Homeland, Country Mart, and United Supermarkets. Their corporate headquarters is in Oklahoma City, and they employ over 4,000 associates. The company is the second largest grocery retailer in the state of Oklahoma, and the largest traditional grocery store format operator in the state.
About BrightFarms
BrightFarms grows local produce, nationwide. By financing, building, and operating greenhouse farms at or near grocery retailers, BrightFarms eliminates time, distance, and costs from the produce supply chain. BrightFarms local produce is fresher, more flavorful, and better for the environment, enabling grocers to change their produce supply chain in a way that improves the planet and their profits.
Source: BrightFarms
