According to Grahame, with the start of COVID-19 it became apparent that the world wanted more locally grown produce and quality produce. “Now, this is soon to become available in the UK and then around the world, under the brand of WorldWide Local Salads," says Grahame Dunling, COO of WorldWide Local Salads.
"The 2000 square meter farm will consist of a fully automated system where the salads are produced. We have the most advanced technology allowing us to track, trace and control every element in our warehouses from any location in the world. We ensure this by using our custom computer system which has all the control parameters integrated on-board to realize the required conditions from climate, CO2, irrigation to lights and nutrition,” Matthew Dunling, CEO of WorldWide Local Salads says.
(F.l.t.r.) Grahame and Matthew Dunling
Building on his own view
Matthew has been working quietly behind the scenes as he builds, what he calls, a game-changing view on how vertical farming should be operating. "For the past few years I have been watching how vertical farms are being set up and operated and I still believe that so far from a truly commercial perspective they are a long way from being what experienced growers would call a commercial farm."
"I think when we are talking about sustainability, we have to realize that there are three elements to sustainability – social, environmental and economical. Each of these has to have a positive impact and be profitable to allow the business to survive on its own and not on needing a constant stream of investment to allow it to survive."
Features
Grahame states that they will be able to ensure crop standards as the system will be replicated. The warehouse facility will entice custom full spectrum LEDs, custom control units, exclusive seed varieties, automation and AI. Grahame says that they will produce growing baby leaf salads with that wow factor and along with unique chili’s, capsicum, red and white strawberries.
The Hull-based sample product facility showcases the products with their rich flavors and textures. The company is in the process of developing its first full-commercial facility in Derby. "We have already lined up 20 and more facilities across the UK to roll out,” says Grahame.
In January this year, Grahame moved companies and turned from restaurants to retail. He adds, “With Local Salads, we were supplying high-end supermarkets very soon with baby leaf salads unrivaled for the UAE consumer market. The great thing about our products was that the baby leaves had flavor, texture, and colors that people had only seen in top restaurants. They really have the wow factor that people are looking for.”
For more information:
WorldWide Local Salads
Matthew Dunling, CEO
matthew@localsalads.com
Grahame Dunling, COO
grahame@localsalads.com