WILMINGTON, OH – BrightFarms, the No. 1 brand of locally grown packaged salads, has partnered with Crosset Company to distribute its products into over 100 new independent retailers in the Midwest, a majority of which are based in Ohio. BrightFarms’ newest greenhouse in Wilmington, Ohio will supply the new retailers with the company’s core portfolio of baby greens.
In Ohio, BrightFarms will be on shelves in Dorothy Lane Market (Dayton), Walt Churchills Market (Northwest Ohio), and Krieger’s Health Foods Market (Cleveland). Distribution into Jungle Jim’s International Market (Cincinnati) began earlier this year.
BrightFarms’ company Founder & President Paul Lightfoot highlighted independent retailers in Ohio as a key opportunity. “As we’ve expanded across the country, we’ve been energized by the growth potential of working with the independent market, which serves a large demographic of consumers that care about transparency in food,” said Lightfoot. “Our partnership with Crosset has been instrumental in gaining access to this valuable market.”
“Helping our independent retail customers differentiate their stores, delight their shoppers and grow their business by providing access to the latest fresh produce innovations, particularly locally grown and organic, is our core value proposition,” said Greg Kurkjian, Crosset Company Vice President/General Manager. “Our long-standing relationships with the with customers in our service area, coupled with our supply chain, logistics, and merchandising solutions, align perfectly with BrightFarms’ growth initiative. We are thrilled to partner with them and look forward to contributing to their continued growth and success.”
Steve Platt, BrightFarms CEO, also weighed in: “Our success with independent retailers comes as no surprise. Research shows that nearly all shoppers want local, pesticide-free produce.” said Platt. “Our mission at BrightFarms is to provide more access to the freshest, most responsibly grown local produce – whether it’s at a large national retailer or a small, family owned store.”
Independent retailers that are interested in sourcing from BrightFarms can contact Jack Holland at jholland@brightfarms.com.
For more information, visit www.brightfarms.com and www.crosset.com.
About BrightFarms
BrightFarms is the No. 1 brand of locally grown packaged salads, serving the freshest, tastiest and most responsibly grown produce to consumers nationwide. BrightFarms operates hydroponic greenhouse farms in the communities it serves, enabling it to eliminate time, distance, and costs from the food supply chain. BrightFarms’ growing methods, a model for the future of scalable, sustainable local farming, use far less energy, land and water than long distance, field-grown agriculture. Fast Company has recognized BrightFarms as “One of World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies” and one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Food” in the world. For more information, please visit www.brightfarms.com.
About Crosset Company
Crosset Company is a leading distributor of organic and locally grown fresh produce and a premier full-line, full-service wholesaler of fresh produce and floral products to customers across the eastern half of the United States. A proud member of the Castellini Group of Companies, Crosset Company supplies its customers with a complete range of the highest quality organic, local, conventional, fresh-cut, and value-added fruits and vegetables, along with a broad floral selection, year-round. Serving traditional and natural/organic grocery retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice operators of all sizes, both direct to store and to distribution centers, Crosset Company delivers generations of produce experience, a network of growers, customers, and facilities that are second-to-none, unparalleled merchandising expertise, customized supply chain solutions, and an unmatched passion for customer service, all with a singular focus: differentiating stores, delighting shoppers, and growing their customers’ business. Learn more at crosset.com.
