BrightFarms' Chicagoland greenhouse celebrates first harvest

BrightFarms, a New York-based startup that calls itself "the first national brand for local produce," said it made its first produce shipment from the BrightFarms Chicagoland greenhouse in Rochelle, Ill., to banners operated by Roundy's Supermarkets Inc., Milwaukee — specifically, to Mariano’s Chicagoland stores and to Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market stores in Wisconsin. The greenhouse will grow more than one-million pounds of salad greens, herbs and tomatoes per year exclusively for Roundy's, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co., Cincinnati.

BrightFarms' 160,000-plus-square-foot Chicagoland greenhouse is now the most productive farm in the Chicagoland market, the company said, as well as the most sustainable source of year-round baby greens and tomatoes in all of Illinois. It creates permanent "green collar" jobs, significantly reduces food miles and improves the environmental impact of the food supply chain.

"Consumers want access to fresh, local produce year-round and we, along with Roundy's, are working tirelessly to meet this demand in the Chicagoland market," said Paul Lightfoot, CEO of BrightFarms. "Produce from our Chicagoland greenhouse is delivered within 24 hours of harvest and often grown less than 100 miles from where it's sold. That’s a 98 percent improvement from the thousands of miles produce usually must travel to reach supermarket shelves."

The greenhouse uses 80 percent less water, 90 percent less land and significantly less energy to grow its products than the items it replaces on supermarket shelves, BrightFarms said. All produce is non-GMO and pesticide-free.

"We're thrilled that we can offer customers access to fresh lettuces, tomatoes and herbs within 24 hours of harvest," said Bob Mariano, president and CEO of Roundy's. "Together with BrightFarms, we're working to improve the food supply chain — a win for the environment and a big step in the right direction."