New British vertically farmed salad brand Homegrown launches in Asda
Image credit: Fergus Franks
Asda has become the first British retailer to start selling a vertically farmed bagged salad brand to consumers at a large scale.
Starting this week, the supermarket is supplying Homegrown – a range of three salad bags developed by Scunthorpe-based vertical farming business, Jones Food Company.
The new selection includes an 80g Mixed Salad, 60g Rocket, and 80g Hot & Peppery Cress. Consumers can purchase the products nationwide through the online store, and in 270 Asda stores across the country.
Being vertically farmed, these salad leaves have been grown indoors in a nutrient-rich mist instead of soil.
Jones Food Company’s salad leaves growing in indoor vertical farming space. Image credit: Fergus Franks
Jones Food Company’s salad leaves growing in indoor vertical farming space. Image credit: Fergus Franks
Jones Food Company said in a statement: “We are thrilled to be able to launch Homegrown with Asda. They, like us, understand that growing produce vertically can have significant sustainability benefits.
“All of our salad is entirely British grown which results in fewer food-miles than salad flown in from around the world, is grown using only renewable energy and uses 90% less water than plants, which have been more traditionally produced. We can harvest our crops in one day and deliver into supermarket depots the next, so the freshness is guaranteed.”
Dom Edwards, Asda Produce Director added: “We’re delighted to be the first British retailer supplying a vertically farmed bagged salad range at this kind of scale, enabling customers to buy nationally and online. As well as clear sustainability benefits, the salad leaves aren’t subject to adverse weather – resulting in better availability and more consistent quality for our customers.”
Support for vertical farming is growing rapidly in the UK. Earlier this year, the national brewer Greene King announced its partnership with vertical farming company Fischer Farms to bring their leafy greens and herbs onto the menus of 1,600 pubs in the country. In June, the company Vertical Future was also awarded a £750,000 grant from Innovate UK to develop a new plant-based protein source from amaranth using vertical farming facilities.
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