NEW YORK, NY – Graham Tucker, former Head Grower of Green City Growers, has joined BrightFarms, Inc. as Director of Agriculture. BrightFarms, which designs, finances, and operates hydroponic greenhouses at or near supermarkets, is currently delivering fresh, local produce year-round to stores in the Tri-State area. Tucker will train and oversee BrightFarms’ developing network of growers for future greenhouses, including those planned for Saint Paul, Saint Louis, Oklahoma City, Brooklyn, Kansas City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Tucker was immediately drawn to BrightFarms’ innovative business model and revolutionary vision for scaling up local produce. “Changing our supply chain is critical to the sustainability of our farmers, our society, and our environment,” he says. “BrightFarms’ business model is hugely innovative.”
“Farming immediately clicked with me,” adds Tucker, who has 15 years of growing experience. “I was drawn to the intensity and reward of taking care of living things and the broad range of sciences required to maximize quality and quantity.” Most recently, Tucker was the Head Grower at Green City Growers Cooperative, a highly respected hydroponic greenhouse focusing on leafy greens in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to Green City Growers, Tucker managed 65 acres of annuals, vegetables, and perennials at Green Circle Growers in Oberlin, Ohio. The farm increased revenue by nearly 100% during his tenure. In addition, he transitioned the farm’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practice from a chemical system to an industry-leading biological system.
Paul Lightfoot, BrightFarms CEO, says, “We are delighted that Graham is joining our team. He is a sophisticated grower whose dedication to sustainability is matched by his dedication to quality and yield. “
“I wanted to be part of a more local and intimate farming system, one that allows me to form relationships with the customers buying my produce,” says Tucker. “Relationships like these provide customers with a greater sense of trust in our food system and empower them to make informed decisions about what to buy.”
About BrightFarms
BrightFarms grows local produce, nationwide. By financing, building, and managing greenhouse farms at or near grocery retailers, BrightFarms eliminates time, distance, and costs from the produce supply chain. BrightFarms local produce is fresher, more flavorful, and better for the environment, enabling grocers to change their produce supply chain in a way that improves the planet and their profits.
Source: BrightFarms