BrightFarms Upgrades Greenhouse

BrightFarms Inc., which describes itself as an “urban agriculture company,” is upgrading its greenhouse in Bucks County, Pa. The 56,000-square-foot facility provides fresh produce to the company’s retail partners, McCaffrey’s Market and the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P).

The upgrade includes the installation of state-of-the-art growing systems and harvesting equipment, with the aim of efficiently growing superior-quality baby greens. Additionally, according to New York-based BrightFarms, the new growing systems will improve quality by reducing handling, and streamlining harvesting and post-harvesting. Following the upgrade, BrightFarms said it expects to be able to meet rising demand by planting more densely within the same structure. Further, in keeping with the company’s environmental commitment, the system will lower water consumption.

Better Quality, Consistency

“The new system will improve the quality and consistency of our growing operations,” noted BrightFarms CEO Paul Lightfoot. “It was a difficult decision to interrupt our year-round production schedule, but we look forward to delivering an even better product to our customers.”

“Sourcing great tasting and local produce from BrightFarms has been a great experience for our customers” added Jim McCaffrey, owner and CEO of McCaffrey’s Market, which operates four locations in Yardley and Newtown, Pa., and Princeton and West Windsor, N.J. “We eagerly look forward to selling produce from BrightFarms again after this upgrade project has been completed.”

BrightFarms said it expects its produce to return to grocers’ produce departments in April. The company also operates facilities in St. Louis; St. Paul, Minn.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Oklahoma City; Kansas City, Mo.; Washington, D.C.; and Indianapolis, and has formed partnerships with such retailers as Schnucks and Homeland Stores.