US (MI): Zero-waste facility launches in Grand Rapids

US greenhouse grower Edible Garden has launched Edible Garden Heartland, the company's Zero-Waste Inspired®, multifaceted AgTech facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Mr. Jim Kras, Chief Executive Officer of Edible Garden, commented, "We are excited about the official launch of Edible Garden Heartland, which is an important step for the Company as we extend our capabilities to provide sustainably produced, locally sourced produce to a growing number of customers in the Midwest. With the launch of this new facility, we are not only supplying the area with fresh, USDA Organic, premium produce but also launching a groundbreaking research and development center committed to refining our current offerings, creating innovative products, and exploring advancements in plant-based protein and nutraceuticals by leveraging agricultural technologies."

"The launch of Edible Garden Heartland holds great potential for positively impacting our margins and advancing us toward our goal of turning cash flow positive later this year as a result of the increased growing capacity it provides. This increased capacity will allow us to move production that was previously outsourced to third-party providers in-house, which we believe will result in higher margins for the Company. We also believe that the facility offers the capacity to handle up to $20 million in annualized revenue. In addition, the launch presents Edible Garden with the opportunity to vertically integrate our production capabilities with Pulp, our new line of sustainable gourmet sauces and chili-based products, that will initially be sold in Whole Foods locations in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions starting this summer."

"By strategically positioning ourselves in Grand Rapids, we believe that Edible Garden Heartland will be able to satisfy the requirements of our largest Midwest customer, Meijer, as well as other significant big-box retailers in the region who are interested in reinforcing their connections with the Company. Moreover, by cutting down on food miles and shortening the time to market, we are not only reducing spoilage and waste but also our CO2 emissions, which aligns with our Zero-Waste Inspired mission. Edible Garden remains committed to our Simply Local, Simply Fresh® approach when supplying produce to customers in a sustainable and responsible way."

Mike Sudbury, General Manager of Edible Garden, who will oversee the Grand Rapids facility, commented, "The launch of Edible Garden Heartland is a significant milestone for Edible Garden, and I'm extremely proud to have played a part in it. Our decision to refurbish an existing facility with technology is a testament to the Company's commitment to ESG principles, and I'm grateful to our team in Grand Rapids for their hard work in getting us up and running so quickly after purchasing the facility in August. Our top priority is to retain as many current jobs as possible, and we're excited about the potential to create new employment opportunities for the region in the future, which could indirectly generate up to 100 jobs in the Grand Rapids community."