New York, NY – BrightFarms, Inc. announced that it and Mariano’s, the growth banner of Midwest grocery leader Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. (Roundy’s), have partnered to deliver year-round local produce to Mariano’s Chicagoland stores.
BrightFarms will finance, build, and operate a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse to supply Mariano’s stores with fresh, local produce year-round. By building a greenhouse in the City of Chicago, BrightFarms will expand Mariano’s extensive offering of locally grown produce. BrightFarms is currently evaluating a number of potential greenhouse sites in the City of Chicago.
“We have made a strong commitment to using locally grown produce from farmers across the three states in which Roundy’s operates,” said Donald G. Fitzgerald, Group Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Roundy’s. “We are pleased to enter into this partnership with BrightFarms as we continue to expand our offerings of “locally grown”.
“We look forward to our partnership with Mariano’s,” said BrightFarms CEO Paul Lightfoot. “The Mariano’s experience is unique and we’re honored that we will be able to contribute to their already extraordinary selection of produce offerings.”
In addition to supplying Mariano’s stores with year round local produce, the greenhouse will create permanent green collar jobs, reduce transportation of produce items usually shipped across the country, and help improve the environmental impact of the food supply chain.
About BrightFarms
BrightFarms grows local produce, nationwide. By financing, building, and operating local greenhouse farms, BrightFarms eliminates time, distance, and costs from the food supply chain. Borrowing from the highly successful renewable energy industry, BrightFarms signs long-term purchase agreements with supermarkets that feature fixed prices and minimum volume commitments. BrightFarms’ growing method uses far less land and water than conventional agriculture, and its urban locations create local green jobs and help to bring healthy, fresh produce to neighborhoods. BrightFarms’ partnerships with supermarkets, cities, capital sources, and vendors allow it to develop markets and projects faster and better than any competitor. For more information, please visit http://www.brightfarms.com.
Source: BrightFarms