Upward Farms, an aquaponics vertical farming company, has opened its new headquarters in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York.
The innovative new facility – which is Upward Farms’ first – utilizes the company’s next generation technology in both commercial production and research and development.
The operation, powered by breakthrough end-to-end automation, is USDA Certified Organic, making Upward Farms the first and only Certified Organic vertical farm in the Northeast region.
It includes a fishery that is Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch “Best Choice” rated, and it sustainably farms mercury-free, antibiotic-free and hormone-free striped bass.
Upward Farms’ ready-to-eat microgreen mixes are currently available in all Brooklyn Whole Foods Market locations and are expected to be available in all New York City Whole Foods Market locations in the coming months.
Jason Green, Upward Farms CEO and co-founder, says: “Upward Farms’ new facility successfully scales our vertical farming model. Controlled environments and ecological farming are not at odds, but are powerful compliments for the next generation of farming.
“We’re delivering higher yields, disease resistance, safety, and sustainability in a platform that can be deployed anywhere in the world, regardless of climate.
“The pandemic underscores the importance of shoring up supply chains to be more local for transparency, safety and efficiency. Localized produce is especially important from a food safety standpoint.
“As vertical farms scale, we can create a supply chain that’s fundamentally more resilient than shipping produce around the country, if not around the world.”
As consumers continue to gravitate toward fresh, organic produce and purchase more groceries online, Upward Farms offers consistent product availability, quality and scalability for locally grown greens.
According to the Organic Produce Network, US organic produce sales rose by 14 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, outpacing growth in conventional produce and highlighting the increased demand in a post-Covid world for organic fresh produce.
Previously sold under the brand names Seed & Roe and Edenworks, Upward Farms microgreens are a best-selling product in the salad category where sold.
Two Upward Farms’ microgreen blends – Mighty Microgreens Mix and Spicy Microgreens Mix – will soon be at Whole Foods Market stores across New York City.
The Company anticipates further growth to answer demand in the US Northeast and beyond. The Company has raised approximately $150 million to date from investors that include Prime Movers Lab, Tribe Capital, and strategic investors from the food, agriculture, and consumer packaged goods spaces.
