FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2021 (Pitt Meadows, B.C.) – UP Vertical Farms™, a cutting edge new indoor farm located in Pitt Meadows, B.C., is leading the way in the global agriculture revolution with the upcoming launch of Canada’s first touchless, high density indoor vertical farm for growing post organic super greens. Founded by Fresh Green Farms, the company plans to unveil the first phase of operations in the spring of 2022 with the goal of becoming the world’s largest and most sustainable vertical farm by 2023.
In an industry grappling with many challenges, from climate change impacting crops, labour shortages and rising fuel costs effecting food prices, to health and safety concerns around food contamination, traditional methods of farming are proving to be unsustainable. That’s why the team at UP Vertical Farms has spent the last several years researching and developing the latest technology to grow healthier crops at 350 times more yield compared to conventional farming, while employing the most advanced, high density growing solution with minimal impact on the environment.
“Vertical farming is the future of agriculture and we’re excited to take it to the next level to bring healthier, better tasting, and longer lasting greens to consumers everywhere by next year,” said Bahram Rashti, co-founder of UP Vertical Farms. “Our fully automated system will revolutionize the industry by allowing for much higher yields, quicker production, better quality control, and less potential for contamination in order to produce locally grown post organic super greens in the most sustainable way.”
UP Vertical Farms will roll out the first phase of operations at its Pitt Meadows location starting in the spring of 2022 with projections to produce 0.9 million kilograms (about 2 million lbs) and 6.3 million bags of salad greens per year. The second expansion phase will be completed in late 2023 and will produce an output of 1.8 million kilograms (just under 4 million lbs) per year from a 75,000 square foot facility, making UP Vertical Farms the largest vertical farm in the world. A planned future third phase expansion will double the size of the facility to offer a total output to 3.6 million kilograms of super greens per year.
As Canada’s first hands-free vertical farming operation, UP Vertical Farms will be fully automated from seeding through to harvest in a humidity, temperature, water, light and nutrient-controlled environment that ups the quality of each and every plant. At UP Vertical Farms leaves will never be touched by humans and are grown in water not soil like traditional field greens, and in a controlled indoor environment, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals to protect crops from disease or contamination. The result is healthier super greens classified as post organic, a higher quality than the traditional organic food classification where zero harmful chemicals or manure are used in any part of the seeding, growing, and harvesting.
Most importantly, UP’s high density vertical farming solution is a Canadian innovation for a more sustainable future and a heathier planet. UP Vertical Farms uses 99% less land, 99% less water, 99% less fertilizer, and 95% less plastic for packaging to produce over 350 times greater yield, using zero pesticides for locally grown greens. Additionally, UP’s crops will be grown year-round in a 13 to 21-day growing cycle using recycled CO2 and proprietary lighting technology for custom brix levels and flavour profiles.
From arugula to butter lettuce, UP’s delicious and nutritious, ready-to-eat greens will come in a variety of blends and varieties for salads, dishes, sandwiches and garnishes with customized options for restaurants and corporations. Consumers will be able to purchase UP super greens from a range of retailers in 2022. UP Vertical Farms’ strategic partnership with The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy) for its marketing and retail strategy will lead to a rapid and seamless introduction into the Canadian market and beyond.
For more information, visit www.freshgreenfarms.com
Interviews and high resolution photos available upon request.
ABOUT UP VERTICAL FARMS
Opening in the Spring of 2022, UP Vertical Farms located in Pitt Meadows, B.C. is owned by Fresh Green Farms, an agriculture technology company founded by brothers Bahram and Shahram Rashti. By combining their experience in biology, information technology and business, they have founded Canada’s newest innovation in vertical farming, a fully automated solution they designed from top to bottom that includes customized LED lights, temperature, humidity, water and nutrient-controlled systems for optimal growing conditions. Their mission is to up the ante of commercial vertical farming with a better sustainable solution for the safest, most nutritious, and best tasting salad greens, grown close to home. For more information, visit freshgreenfarms.com
ABOUT OPPY
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for more than 160 years, Vancouver, BC-based Oppy discovers and delivers the best of the world’s harvest. With over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually, Oppy offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit. Go to oppy.com to learn more.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tanis Sullivan
Tanis Sullivan Communications
604-230-8008
tanis@tanissullivan.com
