Kalera, one of the fastest growing vertical farming companies in the US, has announced it will open a fifth facility in Denver, Colorado in 2021. The company currently operates two growing facilities in Orlando, and is constructing facilities in Atlanta and Houston that will open in early 2021. It is expected the new Colorado facility will generate approximately 60 jobs for the local community.
Its first commercial vertical farm, the HyCube growing centre, currently operates on the premises of the Orlando World Center Marriott, bringing fresh, local produce to hotel visitors and customers. In March 2020, the company opened its second facility in Orlando, providing produce to the area’s top retailers, leading foodservice distributors, resorts, hospitality groups, and theme parks. Its third farm is its Atlanta facility, which will be the largest vertical farm in the US Southeast when it opens early next year. Its fourth facility, scheduled to open in Houston next spring, will be the largest of its kind in Texas.
The company says it plans to open yet more additional facilities, both in the US and internationally, over the next few years. All its vertical farms employ cleanroom technology and processes to eliminate the use of chemicals and remove exposure to pathogens, while the latest hydroponics ensure crops consume 95% less water compared to field farming.
“As the gateway to the Rockies and one of the great food cities in the world, Denver is the ideal location for Kalera’s latest vertical farm,” said Daniel Malechuk, CEO, Kalera. “Chefs and retail customers in Colorado are very health-focused and have a strong appreciation for local, fresh, better-than-organic produce. Kalera is quickly becoming a world-leading company in indoor vertical farming with an ability to deliver fresh, locally grown greens, nationally. Thanks in large part to our streamlined design process, we are able to achieve a high rate of growth,” he continued.
“Kalera’s model has proven that we are able to provide produce at industry-leading yields and unit economics that allow end-user customers to purchase our premium quality greens at stable, conventional pricing,” continued Malechuk. “We believe that everyone should be able to afford to eat safe, clean, fresh, and healthy local produce. And with yields at 300-400 times that of traditional field farms, we are on the way to achieving our goal.”
