As more retailers like Kroger, Albertsons and Walmart purchase produce grown by vertical farm operations, this segment of the agriculture industry will continue to gain market share. Charles Redfield, chief merchandising officer at Walmart, said his company is focused on investing in innovative food solutions in order to deliver its customers affordable, high-quality, fresh food.
Some retailers are taking their commitment in vertical farming a step further by investing in the production of fresh produce. Publix Super Markets’ GreenWise market in Lakeland, Fla., has installed a 40-foot container hydroponic farm in its parking lot. The store will produce over 700 heads of lettuce weekly which are sold in the store.
Kroger has installed modular vertical farms manufactured by Infarm in two of its Seattle stores. The systems start with seedlings germinated at Infarm’s nursery and then are transplanted into the stores’ production systems to finish and harvest the crops.
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