Planted Detroit announced that it's closing operations on August 4. 2023. In 2018 the first edition of the farm was opened, and up until this point, the company has hired about 60 employees.
The release stated, "In the past month, Planted Detroit, like much of the CEA industry, faced investment turbulence and funding constraints. Despite the company's efforts to drive sales, cut costs, and secure investments, these challenges could not be overcome."
According to Metro Times, the farm will continue to deliver salads and greens to its customers through July 28. After that point, it will offer products by pickup only from July 31 to August 4, when it plans to lay off its team of more than 40 workers.
"While Planted Detroit is still seeking outside investors to take over operations and restore the longevity of the company, there is no guarantee of that, and business decisions cannot be made based on this hope."
Square Roots lays off staff, halts production
However, it's not only rough waters in Michigan. According to Lake Geneva News, employees of Square Roots' Kenosha farm, Wisconsin, said they received notice on Wednesday of layoffs. Production was immediately halted at the 10,000-square-foot indoor farm site. The farm was just opened in 2022 and started production in January ever since.
More than two dozen farmers and other personnel staffed the two-story structure built with 20 repurposed shipping containers at the Gordon Food Services Campus, 10915 38th St.
A spokesperson for Square Roots, said that Kenosha, along with other Square Roots sites, however, has tentatively paused commercial production as the company recently transitioned to a "farming as a service" business model.
We have both contacted Planted Detroit and Square Roots for a response, but we haven't heard from them yet.
For more information:
Planted Detroit
admin@planteddetroit.com
www.planteddetroit.com
Square Roots
www.squarerootsgrow.com