Grow Up Farms Admin, Author at Grow Up Farms

Salad grower trials new water-saving technology

by Grow Up Farms Admin | Feb 8, 2024 | News

New technology which its designers hope will have a major impact on reducing wastewater has been trialled at a vertical farm.

Water treatment expert Salinity Solutions teamed up with indoor salad producer GrowUp Farms in Sandwich, Kent, for the 10 day trial.

Wastewater from the growing process, as well as elsewhere on the site, was collected and re-circulated twice, using a unique pressure system.

Liam Burlace, co-founder of Salinity Solutions, said: “This allows us to reach much higher recoveries making more fresh water accessible.”

The standard technology used in the industry is called reverse osmosis, in which water is purified by pumping it through a semi-permeable membrane.

Salinity Solutions has developed a way of re-circulating the water, to treat it twice in an energy-efficient way.

Mr Burlace said: “The aim here is to treat water better, so we want to extract as much fresh water as possible, whilst minimising the energy consumption of the system.”

The GrowUp Farms’ Pepperness site spans just five acres in Sandwich, but has the equivalent of 1,000 acres of growing space in a controlled environment, powered by renewable energy.

Salad crops for supermarkets are grown in fertilised water, rather than soil.

GrowUp Farms says the ground-breaking batch reverse osmosis technology – the first in the world to be manufactured commercially – could have a major impact on reducing wastewater, not only in the food sector but in many other sectors around the world, helping to solve the emerging global water crisis.

In the trial at the Sandwich site, rain water, water used for cleaning and “old” irrigation water were recycled.

GrowUp Farms impact director, Gillon Dobie, said: “Globally, demand for water is set to double over the next five years.

“Water treatment consumes 4% of the world’s total electricity production and conventional reverse osmosis systems are traditionally energy intensive.

“Crucially, Salinity Solutions’ technology uses half the energy of existing systems while recovering up to 98% of clean water.”

Much of what is left over from the process is concentrated fertiliser, which can also potentially be recycled.

‘Fantastic innovations’

Senior lecturer in environment and sustainability at the University of Surrey, Dr Zoe M Harris, said: “Vertical farms are already fantastic innovations in that they already recycle their water. They are closed loops, recirculating systems. So we already have a saving there.

“By collaborating with Salinity Solutions, they are basically doubling up on their advantage.

“If they can further recover precious water and do that in a way that’s economic and sustainable, it really will escalate and push forward vertical farming and controlled environment industries to be more sustainable.”

Salinity said the technology could also be used outside the food sector, for example at wastewater treatment plants, where nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates need to be removed.

The trial has now finished and the results will be analysed.

How GrowUp Farms is growing UK salad supply year round

by Grow Up Farms Admin | Feb 8, 2024 | News

From a small unit in London, GrowUp Farms has taken its vertical farming business to a larger site in Kent, where it supplies the likes of Tesco with British-grown salad all year round

It’s winter, it’s wet, and it’s cold – yet in Kent, salad is growing. No, this isn’t a particularly hardy breed of leaf. This is GrowUp’s vertical farm in Pepperness. Comprising the equivalent of 1,000 acres of Grade 1 farmland, it can produce bags of salad in just over three weeks – whatever the weather.

When fully operational, the site will produce 1.4 million bags per week, which equates to between 2.5% and 3% of the UK’s salad supply.

It’s an ambitious target for an ambitious brand. GrowUp already supplies Tesco and Iceland under its Unbeleafable and Fresh Leaf Co brands, and reports increasing interest from other major retailers. It’s now looking to grow new varieties, and could even play a part in boosting national food security.

Plants stay in the growing chambers for between 17 and 21 days

It may sound an outlandish claim, but much of the UK’s salad comes from abroad, points out Kate Hofman, who founded GrowUp with Tom Webster over 10 years ago. As shortages become more common, especially in the winter months, consumers will gravitate towards UK-grown produce “because they’ll associate that with stability and availability”, she believes.

The growth trajectory of GrowUp certainly suggests there is a market for its proposition. Hofman and Webster started out in a small unit in London supplying a few foodservice clients. Today, they are heads of a thriving business with more than 80 employees.

The aim is not to wipe out conventional growing methods, rather to “top up” supply and reduce reliance on imports, says Hofman. “There’s no reason why we should be importing salad if we can grow it here,” she argues.

Seeds are planted in trays prior to entering the growing chamber

Vertical farming offers additional benefits, too. Its short turnaround time means GrowUp can be responsive to events that create a peak in demand, such as an upcoming bank holiday or good weather.

What’s more, no pesticides are needed, so the product doesn’t have to be washed and dried. This means better quality, less damaged leaves, says the brand. It also means the leaves stay fresher for longer – allowing for longer use-by dates.

The Pepperness site houses the equivalent of 1,000 acres of Grade 1 farmland

Selling points

That longer shelf life is something that particularly attracts consumers, Hofman says. As such, this is one of the core selling points highlighted on pack, alongside the lack of pesticides and British origin.

Notably, there is no mention of vertical farming on packs. Hofman says this is because people don’t want all the technical information. Instead, the brand focuses on being “primarily a product that solves the problem consumers have, which is freshness”.

The seeding station

Behind the scenes, though, that technical information is key for growing. Seeds are planted in trays with a plant-based composite matter used as a replacement for soil, and left to germinate for between 24 and 48 hours. The plants are then moved into the growing chamber, where they stay for between 17 and 21 days, depending on the variety and specification.

The details are also crucial when it comes to GrowUp’s sustainability goals. A key priority has been to address the vast amount of energy required for vertical farms.

The Unbeleafable salad range is stocked in Tesco

While many rivals still use a combination of energy sources, GrowUp’s Pepperness site is “ahead of the curve”, says Hofman. It sources low-grade heat and electricity from an on-site renewable energy plant that produces the same amount of power as 350 acres of solar panels.

GrowUp also works with Kent Wildlife Trust to invest in rewilding projects and continues to explore how to reduce plastic – a key part of its next phase.

Looking further ahead, Hofman points to “really exciting” vertical farming crop developments on the horizon, from okra and berries to seed potatoes. The sheer scale of Pepperness means it is on the frontline in making these crops a commercial reality.

The salad leaves are prepared for quality control

It’s all part of ensuring GrowUp prioritises “real innovation” as it expands. It will look at heritage and heirloom varieties, for example, rather than just “tinkering around the edges with pack size”, Hofman says.

But for now, the main goal for Hofman is simple: to keep salad on UK shelves all year round. Even in a wet and miserable winter.

Influential Kent businesses commit their support for TOKA 2024

by Grow Up Farms Admin | Dec 5, 2023 | News

The opportunity to be associated with the best of Kent’s food and drink industry is now open to business and organisations from across Kent. Planning for the Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA 2024) is well underway, with eight sponsors already sponsoring next years awards.

The prestigious companies who have pledged their support for the annual awards are the University of Kent who are once again providing the venue for the awards ceremony and food festival, head sponsor Southeastern, judging location sponsor Jestic Food Service, and category sponsors Shepherd Neame, EKC Group, Southern Co-op, Oxbury and GrowUp Farms. Just a handful of category sponsorships are available and Produced in Kent are encouraging potential businesses to come
forward.

Produced in Kent manage and organise TOKA, which have been a key feature in the awards calendar for almost two decades. CEO Floortje Hoette explains, “Over 19 years the awards have become a fantastic platform to showcase the tastiest food and drink we produce here in Kent, and the hardworking businesses behind it. Sponsoring the awards is a great opportunity for companies to get involved with the local food and drink community, whilst associating with the very finest produce, and showing support for a sector that contributes so much to our local economy, employment, the countryside and a greener future. I thank all returning and new sponsors for their continuing support.”

Nikki Causer Head of Marketing at Southeastern said: ‘We are delighted to sponsor the awards for the 4th year running, their support for the many wonderful local food and drink producers around the county is something that is close to our hearts. It’s important to Southeastern to support local economies, encouraging our customers to travel sustainably by train around Kent and discover, taste and buy the huge variety of delicious food and drink.’

Tim Burrows, Operations Manager – Catering, University of Kent said: We are delighted to be the venue sponsor of the Taste of Kent Awards 2024, and to welcome attendees to the most prestigious food and drink awards in the South East.

At Kent we stand for ambition and we cannot wait to celebrate the ambition of all the nominees at this year’s awards. The Gulbenkian Arts Centre provides the perfect innovative and engaging location to showcase not only the talent of those nominated, but also our own Kentish delights inspired by the Garden of England.

Open to any food and drink business located in Kent and Medway, the awards have been running for nearly twenty years – making them the longest running, and most prestigious food and drink awards in the South East. Entrants do not have to be members of Produced in Kent, nominations are open to all and the judges include industry experts such as Nigel Barden and Michael Eyre from Jestic Foodservice Solutions. This year, the awards continue with their new format. All awards categories are self-nominated (entries open in January 2024).

The culmination is a full day of celebrations on the 13th June, starting with the TOKA Food & Drink Festival, a chance for the public to come and sample and purchase finalists products. The awards are announced in the evening at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre with plenty of networking opportunities. Throughout the awards process there is ample opportunity for sponsors to engage with food and drink businesses and with key stakeholders in the sector.

If you’d like to find out more about sponsorship, please get in touch with Floortje Hoette for opportunities to become involved E: floortje.hoette@producedinkent.co.uk. For more information: https://tasteofkentawards.co.uk

Pioneering vertical farm is a winner in prestigious consortium awards

by Grow Up Farms Admin | Oct 9, 2023 | News

Pioneering vertical farm, GrowUp Farms, has won the Climate Award (a Sustainability Excellence Award) in this year’s Fresh Produce Consortium Fresh Awards. The Fresh Produce Consortium Fresh Awards features a range of categories that recognise and celebrate all aspects of fresh produce, honouring the industry’s best.

GrowUp Farms, which is the first vertical farm to launch branded salads into major UK supermarket groups and has the Unbeleafable salad range in Tesco stores nationwide, was announced as a winner in a glittering awards ceremony in London on 29 September.

GrowUp Farms was one of 14 contenders for the three awards up for grabs in the Sustainability Excellence category. The Climate Award is presented to a business that is “driven to preserve, protect and enhance our living environment, halting or reversing land degradation, understanding ecosystem services or adopting water optimisation techniques”.

The judges said: “The GrowUp Team has worked ambitiously over the last 10 years; making great progress to produce quality food without harming the environment.”

Kate Hofman, who co-founded GrowUp Farms ten years ago, said: “We are over the moon to win the Climate Award in these prestigious awards, and this win reflects the hard work, passion and dedication of the entire GrowUp Farms team, both at Peppernessin Kent and also at our R&D facility, the Leaf Lab in Cambridge.

“At Pepperness, we’re growing salad that stays fresher for longer, helping shoppers cut down on food waste and save money. Pepperness, our state-of-the-art controlled environment farm in Kent represents a significant shift for the UK salad supply chain – at full capacity, a bag of ready-to-eat salad from Pepperness has 93% fewer embodied carbon emissions than the average bagged salad that you’d buy in the shops today.

“We are a certified B-Corp, and we are now focusing on reducing GHG emissions elsewhere in our operations and supply chain by optimising our production and improving our packaging.”

This is the first major award won by the company, which is up for a total of 9 other awards to be announced between now and the end of the year.

Pioneering vertical farm GrowUp Farms has a lot to celebrate this month after being named as finalists in 10 categories in 5 major awards.

by Grow Up Farms Admin | Sep 22, 2023 | News

GrowUp Farms, which is the first vertical farm to launch branded salads into major supermarket groups, has its two new salad brands – Unbeleafable and Fresh Leaf Co. – shortlisted in the Deli Category of The Grocer New Product Awards. Unbeleafable and Fresh Leaf Co. are the only salad brands to be named as finalists in this category.

Unbeleafable has been named as a finalist in the Salad category of the Quality Food Awards too.

GrowUp Farms has also been nominated in four categories in this year’s Fresh Produce Consortium Fresh Awards. Chantelle Cohen, a vital member of the People team at GrowUp, has been nominated for Rising Star of the Year, while GrowUp has been shortlisted for three other categories, including Best Place to Work, Sustainability Excellence Award and Team of the Year award.

Kate Hofman, Founder and Chief Brand Officer, has been named as a finalist in the 2023 Barclays Entrepreneur Awards in the Sustainability Category. The awards spotlight entrepreneurs who are shaking up their industries, who bring positive change to the economy and society, and unleash innovation.

Also in the Barclays awards, GrowUp Farms has been shortlisted for the People’s Award, a unique category in the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards, which gives the public the opportunity to choose the winner.

Hofman has been nominated for a second award, making the shortlist for the prestigious 2023 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in two categories: the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year and the Equity-backed Entrepreneur of the year.

Described as “The Grammys for Entrepreneurship”, The Great British Entrepreneur Awards recognise exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, dedication, and remarkable achievement within their industry. They celebrate the outstanding individuals and businesses that drive innovation, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to the growth of the UK economy.

Hofman is a trailblazer in the vertical farm world; in the past 10 years, she, has taken the concept of vertical farming from a small aquaponic unit in London, to a significantly larger vertical farm, Pepperness, in Kent, which is unique among UK vertical farms because it uses on-site renewable energy and can therefore grow food with a lighter environmental footprint.

Earlier this year, this farm, which is backed by £100 million investment, became the first vertical farm to sell a branded bagged salad in a major UK supermarket with the launch of Fresh Leaf Co. into Iceland stores across the UK. Fast forward four months and GrowUp Farms, led by Hofman, launched the first range of salads grown in a vertical farm into Tesco stores.

Hofman said: “The last 10 years have been amazing. To think how much GrowUp Farms has grown from its humble beginnings in East London to securing a £100 million investment, building a new farm and launching the first vertically farmed salad brands into major supermarket groups – it’s been the most incredible journey.

“And to make the shortlist in five major awards is a real honour. The GBEAs and Barclays awards are much-coveted awards and The Grocer New Product Awards are the most highly sought-after accolades in the food and drink industry. The icing on the cake is our latest nomination in the Salad category in the Quality Food Awards. What a year 2023 has been and bring on November for when we find out how we have done in the six categories in the four different awards.”

The winners of The Grocer New Product Awards will be announced on 7 November, the GBEA awards on 20 Novembers, the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards on 29 November, the Quality Food Awards in November and the Fresh Produce Consortium Fresh Awards on 29 September.

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