Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine’s Post

It's Lucky 13 for Gotham Greens as the CEA leader announces the opening of its first Texas greenhouse, 20 miles southeast of downtown Dallas. The company’s 13th nationwide, the new 210,000-square-foot facility brings Gotham’s total U.S. footprint to more than 1.8 million square feet across nine states: New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, California, Georgia and Texas. In tandem with the greenhouse opening, Gotham is introducing a full line of GO TEXAN locally grown, pesticide-free, non-GMO produce, including the regionally inspired Lone Star Crunch lettuce and a new line of fresh, convenient salad kits. The Texas greenhouse comes on the heels of Gotham’s Colorado Rocky Mountain expansion in August 2023 ( https://lnkd.in/gzAD9a7e ) and the company’s Southeast U.S. greenhouse opening in Georgia (https://lnkd.in/e3Hv3kcu ) two months later. “At Gotham Greens, we’re committed to growing more with less, especially as changing climates are creating less favorable growing conditions across the country," said Viraj Puri, CEO and co-founder. "Our new Texas greenhouse uses the most advanced technology to date, including enhanced automation, climate control and data science capabilities in a fully closed system to help consistently and reliably grow food closer to where people live no matter the weather outside, and ensures that all our leafy greens and herbs meet the high-quality standard consumers nationwide have come to associate with and expect from the Gotham Greens brand.” Read more about the expansion and the new GO TEXAN line on CEA inSight. #CEA #controlledenvironmentagriculture #leafygreens #Texas #greenhousegrown https://lnkd.in/gEwwPFXe

There is no need to grow lettuce in greenhouses: it can be grown in the open field just as well and it is cheaper. This is... true or false? We believe it is false. Although many people think so, growing lettuce in the open field involves much more uncertainty than in greenhouses. Just uncertainty? Also more uncertainty. And lack of control leads to possible diseases. And this leads to economic losses. However, in greenhouses, the production of lettuce and any other vegetable or fruit is much safer and controlled. Does it require a higher investment than growing in the open field? Of course, it is obvious! But the good, the better (control and maximize) always needs it. We have participated with Hortidaily.com in this report where we have developed this idea and some more about #lettuce production in #Spain. We hope you find it interesting. https://lnkd.in/dpG4aCxx

Squash nectaries refers to the nectaries found in squash plants. Nectaries are specialized glands that produce nectar, a sugary substance, which is attractive to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other insects. In squash plants, nectaries play a crucial role in attracting these pollinators, facilitating the process of pollination and subsequently leading to fruit formation. #Crops #PlantsSection

Did you know you’re able to grow in hotter temperatures in the Farmstand than you’re able to in the ground? Our automated circulating watering system aids in stabilizing root zone temperatures and supporting growth in 40-100°F. Plus, we have a few tips and tricks up our sleeves as well. Interested in learning more? Visit this link!⁠ https://lnkd.in/gdakcaMr ⁠ #LettuceGrow #hydroponicgardening #hydroponicfarming #hydroponicsystem #farmstand #highheat #gardeningtips

🥬 Little Leaf Farms: A Sustainable Success Story in Packaged Lettuce In a market where consumers are increasingly conscious of the origins and sustainability of their food, Little Leaf Farms is making waves. According to recent Nielsen data, the brand has become the #1 best-selling packaged lettuce in New England, capturing 20% of all packaged lettuce sales in the region. 📈 Impressive Growth Little Leaf Farms has seen a 46% increase in total dollar sales year-over-year. Founder and CEO Paul Sellew attributes this success to the brand's unique model of fresh, local, greenhouse-grown lettuce. 🏢 Expanding Horizons The brand recently inaugurated its fifth greenhouse in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, expanding its retail presence to nearly 5,000 grocery stores. This move marks the brand's entry into the Midwest and Southeast regions. Chris Hill, Chief Revenue Officer at Little Leaf Farms, is optimistic about the expansion, stating that the brand's hallmark freshness and quality will be pivotal in driving growth in new markets. 🌱 Sustainability at Its Core Little Leaf Farms employs modern peri-urban agricultural practices, utilizing advanced greenhouse technologies. They harness captured rainwater, solar energy, and natural sunlight for their soil-less hydroponic farming. Quality assurance is also a priority; their greens are untouched by human hands during harvesting and are free from chemical treatments. 🔨 Future Plans The brand has initiated the construction of another greenhouse on the McAdoo site, expected to be operational by the end of 2024. This will extend the brand's active farming acreage to 30 acres in Pennsylvania. #LittleLeafFarms #SustainableFarming #PackagedLettuce #NewEngland #GreenhouseFarming

Happy Pollinator Week! Check out the latest blog from Wedderspoon to learn more about our partnership!

Kelsey Nichols manages McCormack Ranch in Rio Vista, California: a historic farm that has taken a holistic approach to farming since 1896. The ranch utilizes South African Meat Merino (SAMM) sheep for meat, wool, and pasture management as part of their Carbon Farm Plan. Kelsey's innovation lies in transitioning to more permanent pastures, incorporating drought-tolerant dryland alfalfa to improve soil structure, reduce invasive species, and support diverse ecological systems. This shift is essential for long-term sustainability and local food security, countering misconceptions about farming's environmental impact. Read more about McCormack Ranch — a member of Fibershed’s Producer Network — below. Fibershed has developed Carbon Farm Plans with Contra Costa and Solano RCDs for three of the large-scale ranches in the region affected by the land purchase by Flannery Associates. Many of the ranches manage grasslands, oak savannas, and riparian/delta regions. We have solid relationships with these remaining ranchers, who have not sold their land.  Investment in protecting those delta soils and surrounding landscapes is high, and the local Resource Conservation Districts have been awarding large-scale grants for Riparian Herbaceous Cover, for instance, at one of the ranches that we work with because the methane emissions from dehydration of these soils is a primary source of methane within the state, hence the investment to protect them.

Shallow roots: can UK vertical farms keep growing as foreign rivals shrivel? The wall of edible greenery rises 10 metres high, all the way to the roof of a vast building in Lydney near Gloucester. This vast matrix of glowing shelves is one of Britain’s latest vertical farms, growing plants indoors in a tightly controlled environment all year round. With the jump in energy prices and other costs, a string of similar ventures have gone out of business in recent years, but the technology is still hailed by some as the future of food. Operated by Jones Food Company (JFC), Lydney has moved firmly past the pilot phase to become a significant supermarket supplier. It supplies 30% of the UK’s cut basil, and can produce 550 tonnes of fresh greens a year. #verticalfarming #UK #future

🌿 GoodLeaf Farms, the largest vertical farming company in Canada. Vertical farming is a method of cultivating plants in vertical racks, allowing for year-round crop production in a controlled environment. GoodLeaf Farms plans to: ✔️ Increase leafy greens production: New farms will enable the company to ramp up leafy greens production, meeting the growing demand for fresh and locally sourced food products. ✔️ Strengthen market leadership: Investments will allow GoodLeaf Farms to fortify its leadership in the Canadian vertical farming market, becoming the sole provider of pesticide-free and nutrient-rich leafy vegetables and microgreens nationwide. ✔️ Make vertical farming more accessible: Expansion will enable GoodLeaf Farms to lower the price of its produce, making vertical farming more accessible to consumers. 💵 The company has secured $78 million to expand its production facilities. This will allow them to open new farms in Calgary and Montreal, increasing the total area by 200,000 square feet. GoodLeaf Farms plays a crucial role in promoting this innovative technology and its potential to provide consumers with fresh and high-quality food products year-round. https://lnkd.in/eFUJJz7g #VerticalFarming #SustainableAgriculture #LocalProduce #ProductionExpansion