Kroger and Gotham Greens, an indoor farming company, are bringing greenhouse-grown produce and plant-based foods to more customers across the country. Consumers can find Gotham Greens' produce in more than 300 Kroger stores, with plans to expand to nearly 1,000 stores by the end of 2023.
In addition to produce, the expansion of Gotham Greens' plant-based dips, cooking sauces, and dressings will put the supplier in nearly 2,000 Kroger locations across the country.
"We're proud to expand our collaboration with Gotham Greens as we work together to bring fresh, local, high-quality and longer-lasting produce to our customers in an environmentally sustainable way," said Dan De La Rosa, Kroger's group vice president of fresh merchandising, in a statement. "Gotham Greens' state-of-the-art, climate-controlled greenhouses reduce the number of days the products spend between harvest and our store shelves, while removing unpredictable weather challenges and improving product quality and shelf life. These factors ultimately reduce food waste, both in stores and in consumers' homes."
Gotham Greens' farming practices allow the brand to grow, harvest, and deliver non-GMO, pesticide-free salad greens and herbs independent of growing season. By using hydroponic growing systems in sunlight-powered greenhouses, Gotham Greens' farms use up to 95 percent less water and 97 percent less land compared to field-grown farming, according to Kroger.
"Kroger and Gotham Greens share a commitment to building a more resilient and equitable food system, putting people and our planet at the forefront of everything we do," said Viraj Puri, co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens, in a statement. "With increasing climate and supply chain related issues facing our food system, it's more important than ever to bring innovative farming solutions that grow high-quality produce while using fewer precious natural resources."
By summer 2023, Gotham Greens will own and operate 13 greenhouses, totaling more than 40 acres across nine states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Rhode Island.
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Image: Gotham Greens