As the outdoor temperatures cool off this month across North America, one controlled environment agriculture (CEA) leafy greens grower anticipates some evolution of demand for its product. “Looking ahead with demand, we people get back into the rhythm of school, and then with the holidays coming, it’s a good time of year for demand,” says Paul Sellew, founder and CEO of Little Leaf Farms. ”What we like about the category is that there are some seasonal fluctuations, but the demand is pretty consistent.”
To meet that demand, the producer continues to work on its product by improving its taste, the quality, the varieties, and the yield. It recently implemented next-generation sensors and a data science system that allows it to react quickly to changes in the greenhouse, which has helped improve yields.
Aggressive expansion
However, it’s also developing its capacity. Little Leaf recently projected it will break $100 million in sales by the end of the calendar year, and it has an aggressive expansion goal of 100 acres under glass by 2026. “Many CEA producers in the industry have struggled both in vertical and in greenhouses, but our business has been strong,” says Sellew.
While there have been challenges in the past year to West Coast field lettuce production, whether it was excessive rains or the INSV virus, Sellew says its product is just a fundamentally different one than what West Coast growers produce. “We’re an alternative to the market,” he says. “We’re locally grown, and we’re cut and delivered to the store within 24-36 hours.”
For more information:
Little Leaf Farms
Tel.: 844-LIL-LEAF (844-545-5323)
info@LittleLeafFarms.com
www.littleleaffarms.com