Sustainability Community

Hello Community,

This article from GreenBusiness Journal caught my eye - great news for Sustainability!

The UK is now home to the world's largest vertical farm, located in Lydney, Gloucestershire. Developed by Jones Food Company (JFC), this 148,000 sq ft facility-equivalent to 70 tennis courts-is set to produce over 1,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually, supplying tens of thousands of UK supermarkets 

Backed by Ocado Group, JFC aims to supply 70% of the UK's fresh produce within the next decade, using cutting-edge technology that enables:

• 17-layer growing systems (17x productivity per acre)
• 95% less water usage
• Zero pesticides
• Significantly reduced food miles
• Read the full article here 

I was researching with vertical farms in the UK and the states 5 years ago as part of my then job to launch a new event - but it was a no go for us then. These days vertical farming offers a compelling mix of environmental, economic, and social benefits and it looks like this might be becoming mainstream?

• Resource Efficiency: Uses drastically less land and water.
• Climate Resilience: Controlled environments mitigate weather risks.
• Local Supply Chains: Reduces reliance on imports and long-haul logistics.
• Year-Round Production: Ensures consistent availability of fresh produce.
• Energy Innovation: Farms like GrowUp in Kent are powered by 100% renewable energy 

A bit of a research into who invests into vertical farms: Top UK Investors:

• • Generate Capital: Invested £38M in GrowUp Farms to expand salad production 
  • Ocado Group: Strategic backer of Jones Food Company since 2019 
  • Swiss Life Asset Managers: Partnering with Planet Farms for a £25M UK facility .

    Major Offtakers:

    • Tesco: Stocks GrowUp's Unbeleafable branded salads 
    • Iceland & SPAR: Early adopters of vertically farmed produce 
    • Fresh Direct: Distributes Fischer Farms' greens to foodservice sectors including restaurants, healthcare, and education 

Do you think it is becoming a mainstream solution to food security, climate resilience, and sustainable urban agriculture? For investors focused on ESG and future-proofing the food system, this is a sector to watch closely.

Do you think vertical farming is no longer a niche innovation?