BrightFarms Opens Greenhouse in Illinois
September 24, 2024 BrightFarms, a national leader in the indoor farming industry, announced the opening of its new greenhouse hub in Yorkville, Illinois, a city in the Chicago Metropolitan area, on September 18, 2024. This is the first of three new regional greenhouse hubs opening for BrightFarms in 2024, tripling the company’s capacity to provide fresh, locally grown leafy greens to consumers across the Eastern and Central U.S.
“Our expansion marks a pivotal moment for us after more than a decade of growth, and is the first step toward creating a coast-to-coast indoor supply chain that transforms how consumers access fresh salad greens,” said Steve Platt, CEO of BrightFarms. “With the addition of our three new 8-acre hubs in Illinois, Texas, and Georgia, we’re increasing our growing capability to 150 million pounds of leafy greens annually, and we’re excited to shape a healthier, greener future for generations to come.”
A key component to BrightFarms’ success is its production facilities that include some of the most advanced greenhouse technology in the world, such as KUBO’s Ultra-Clima greenhouse technology. This innovation allows BrightFarms to maintain and generate the optimal climate 365 days a year, regardless of geography or external climate.
For Chicagoland, the opening of the Yorkville greenhouse means the community will have access to fresh, pesticide-free leafy greens throughout the year. Today, Chicagoans can find BrightFarms leafy greens at Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Pick N Save, and more.
“We are thrilled to welcome BrightFarms to our community, providing fresh, local, and pesticide-free leafy greens to the Chicagoland area year-round,” said Mayor of Yorkville, John Purcell. “No matter if it’s the heat of summer or the chill of a Chicago winter, it’s incredible to know that our lettuce is grown right here in Yorkville, delivering farm-fresh quality directly to our tables.”
Cox Enterprises became the majority investor in BrightFarms in October 2020 and fully acquired the company in August 2021. With a commitment to sustainability, Cox has invested over $2 billion in eco-friendly businesses and technologies. Through Cox Farms, Cox’s new venture into controlled environment agriculture, BrightFarms is transforming access to greenhouse-grown leafy greens across the U.S. With an ambitious expansion plan for 2024, BrightFarms is set to serve more than two-thirds of the U.S. population, aiming to generate over $300 million in revenue by 2026.
“Cox Farms is building the leading indoor farming company in North America, and BrightFarms is a cornerstone of that effort,” said Steve Bradley, president of Cox Farms. “With the growing consumer preference for fresher, more responsibly-grown produce, especially in the salad category, we are continuing to invest to meet the ever-increasing demand.”
As for the additional greenhouse hubs in Macon, Georgia, and Lorena, Texas, construction is already underway and will be complete by the end of the year. Once fully built, the three new greenhouses will multiply BrightFarms’ growing capacity by seven, adding nearly 100 acres and reinforcing its position as the number one grower of indoor-grown salad kits.
For more information, visit the BrightFarms website.