PENNY will introduce hydroponically grown loose‑leaf lettuce mixes across Germany from early April, as parent company REWE Group accelerates its move into controlled‑environment produce with one of the sector's largest retail deployments to date.
The rollout follows REWE's own launch of the range in all Bavarian stores, with further regional expansion planned in the coming months. The products are grown at a new four‑hectare hydroponic greenhouse in Kirchweidach, Bavaria, developed by long‑term supplier Gemüsebau Steiner under its "Endless Summer" project.
The site uses geothermal energy for heating — cutting CO₂ emissions by an estimated 3,000 tonnes a year — and operates a closed‑loop water system that reduces water use by around 90% while eliminating the need for pesticides.
The first product to hit shelves is a "Crispy Mix" salad blend cultivated in water basins rather than soil. REWE says the method produces cleaner, more consistent leaves that stay fresh for up to seven days longer than conventionally grown alternatives. Faster cultivation cycles of 22–32 days also support more stable supply, a growing priority as climate‑related volatility continues to disrupt traditional field production.
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