Compton, a city in Los Angeles County, is home to the world’s most technologically advanced indoor vertical farm, which opened on Thursday. The farm, operated by Plenty, a San Francisco-based company that specializes in indoor farming, can grow up to 4.5 million pounds of leafy greens annually in a single city block.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe farm uses less water and land than traditional farms and does not use any pesticides or GMOs. It also provides jobs for local residents, as Plenty has committed to hiring at least 30% of its full-time workers from Compton zip codes.
Plenty CEO Arama Kukutai said the company chose Compton as the site for its flagship farm because of its rich history of farming, its lack of access to fresh produce and its strategic location as the “Hub City” of Southern California.
“We believe in using our technology to overcome inequities in supply that can have a real impact on the health of local populations,” Mr. Kukutai said.
Compton Mayor Emma Sharif praised Plenty for being a good neighbor and a positive addition to the city.
Embed from Getty Images“They were very committed to making sure that the people that they hired actually came from the city, came from this community, and this is what they’ve done,” Ms. Sharif said.
Plenty’s greens are now available at Bristol Farms, Whole Foods Market stores and local grocers in Compton. The company also plans to produce tomatoes, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables in the future.
Plenty is not the only company that is betting on indoor farming as a way to meet the growing demand for fresh and sustainable food. Other players in the field include AeroFarms, Bowery Farming and Gotham Greens.
However, Plenty claims to have an edge over its competitors with its unique design of vertical towers that are nearly two stories high and are moved by robots. The company said this architecture makes indoor farming more efficient and lowers the cost of production.
Plenty’s Chief Science Officer Nate Storey said the company’s goal is to make affordable produce accessible to every community.
“At the Plenty farm, it’s always peak season,” he said.
Reference：
- Plenty Opens World’s Most Technologically Advanced Indoor Vertical Farm in Compton | Business Wire | May 19, 2023
- Compton’s new indoor farm brings fresh produce, more jobs to city | KABC – Los Angeles | May 19, 2023
- Plenty’s New Vertical Farm Is a High-Tech Food Factory | Bloomberg | May 20, 2023