The first harvest of agtech company AppHarvest, Beefsteak tomatoes from its 60-acre indoor farm in Morehead, Kentucky, will roll out to grocery stores this week. The sustainably grown tomatoes will be available in select retailers such as Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Food City, and Meijer. The products are expected to be comparable in price to standard tomatoes.
The Morehead facility is expected to produce about 45 million pounds of tomatoes annually, a mix of Beefsteak and tomatoes on the vine. AppHarvest has two more facilities under construction in Richmond and Berea, Kentucky, with the goal of having 12 total farms across the state and central Appalachia by the end of 2025.
“As a mission-driven company that prioritizes environmental, social, and governance principles, this first harvest is monumental for our business, and we want to set a benchmark for the industry,” said Jonathan Webb, founder and CEO. “We are determined to build a climate-resilient infrastructure to offer folks a delicious tomato that is sustainably grown right here in Appalachia with 100 percent recycled rainwater and zero chemical pesticides, making it better for both them and the environment.”
Related: AppHarvest Raises $150 Million; New Company Seeks to Innovate Vertical Farming.
Photo: AppHarvest