Vertical Roots opens third indoor hydroponic container farm

14-Jun-2021 - Last updated on 14-Jun-2021 at 17:59 GMT

Pictured: Vertical Roots co-founder and general manager, Andrew Hare Photo Credit: Vertical Roots

Vertical Roots, a vertical farming company which grows its leafy greens in repurposed shipping containers year-round, has opened its third indoor farm in Atlanta, Georgia, reducing produce transportation and expanding access to fresh, locally-grown leafy greens.

Based in South Carolina, where the company operates farms in Charleston and Columbia, Vertical Roots' Atlanta farm site will service thousands of new grocery stores.

The new Atlanta facility will also reduce produce transportation an estimated 300 miles per delivery, and will help meet the company's booming retail demand in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions as well add distribution in alternative channels including restaurants, universities, and schools.

Vertical Roots 'Georgia Grown' lettuce will be available in grocery stores in July.

"A large part of our mission is to grow food as close to the point of consumption as possible, and this farm site accomplishes just that," said Andrew Hare, co-founder and general manager of Vertical Roots.

According to the company, produce reaches consumers within one to three days of being harvested and has up to a 21-day shelf life from the time of purchase.

The new farm will produce half a million heads of lettuce this year from its 320-square-foot containers, which can grow roughly 3,400 plants per harvest, and produce up to 17 harvests per year.

Powered by the company's proprietary software and technology and not reliant on soil, Vertical Roots farms use up to 25% less water and grow crops 25% faster, compared to traditional farming methods.