The Kent-based farm, Pepperness, is 'the first UK vertical farm to be awarded the certification' which covers the growing, harvesting, and packing processes at the farm, and achieved a grade A against the BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard, which has set the benchmark for nearly 25 years for food safety, quality, and operations.
Kate Hofman, Founder, and Chief Brand Officer, said: "We are over the moon to have achieved yet another accolade by being the world's first controlled environment vertical farm to be awarded a grade A against the BRCGS from plant to plate in our first-ever audit.
Adopted by more than 22,000 sites in more than 130 countries, the standard is accepted by 70% of the top 10 global retailers, 60% of the top 10 quick-service restaurants, and 50% of the top 25 manufacturers.
Talking about the BRCGS certification to GrowUp Farms, Emma West, Vice-President of Technical Services and Certification Director for FoodChain ID, said: "FoodChain ID is thrilled to support the ground-breaking achievements to secure certification for the first indoor vertically integrated farm in the UK.
"The certification is recognized by retailers and food service organizations across the world, so it's very important to us to achieve such a great rating on our first audit as we build on our commercial operations. We are the first vertical farm to launch a branded salad into a major UK supermarket group with the launch of Fresh Leaf Co. into Iceland stores, and this certification validates our commitment to food safety and quality through better food for all."
For more information:
GrowUP Farms
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https://growupfarms.co.uk