The Kroger Co. and 80 Acres Farms are growing their partnership to bring fresh produce to 316 Kroger locations across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. With 80 Acres Farms' technology, Kroger can grow pesticide-free produce all year long. With locations closer to customers, the farm-to-table carbon footprint and overall food waste is low.
"Everyone deserves easy access to fresh, affordable, delicious food," said Dan De La Rosa, Kroger's group vice president of fresh merchandising, in a statement. "This newly expanded partnership means more communities will have just-picked produce at their fingertips 365 days a year. We're proud to partner with 80 Acres Farms as we work together to create a world with Zero Hunger | Zero Waste."
"Kroger leads with their commitment to fresh by providing customers access to fresher and more nutritious produce," said Mike Zelkind, CEO and co-founder of 80 Acres Farms, in a statement. "Consumers are looking for more nutrition from their diet and want to trust that their food is safe and chemical free and it will last longer in their refrigerators. The 80 Acres Farms brand delivers against all those promises."
Vertical farming company Plenty Unlimited will provide indoor-grown produce to more than 430 Albertsons locations across California. Plenty is currently available in select Safeway and Andronicos locations in the Bay Area, with plans to expand to additional Albertsons stores in California – including Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions – as supply increases.
Plenty products include Baby Arugula, Baby Kale, Crispy Lettuce, and Mizuna Mix.
“We pride ourselves on offering fresh, quality products that surprise and delight our customers,” said Geoff White, EVP of merchandising, in a statement. “Plenty’s data-driven and sustainable methods are truly innovative, and we look forward to bringing their unique and exciting products to more customers in California as they scale their operations.”
“Albertsons Cos. is leading the industry by creating a new partnership model to deliver customers the intensely flavorful and fresh produce of the Plenty farm,” said Matt Barnard, CEO of Plenty, in a statement. “This is an important milestone for the Plenty team, and we look forward to bringing Albertsons Cos. customers the best-tasting and cleanest greens they’ve ever eaten.”
Related: Vertically Farmed Products Expand to Giant Eagle; AppHarvest Rolls Out First Harvest to Grocery Stores.