by Becky Hawes | Sep 12, 2023 | News
We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that both of GrowUp Farms’ brands have been named finalists in The Grocer New Product and Packaging Awards 2023!
GrowUp’s latest salad innovation, Unbeleafable, has been selected as a finalist in the Deli Category. Unbeleafable offers a tasty, nutritious, and affordable option that stays fresh for longer in your fridge. The rocket & baby leaves salad provides a crisp, delicious blend that delivers the ultimate salad experience for customers. This fresh and sustainable salad is designed to be a convenient addition to any meal, giving you the perfect mix of flavour and freshness in every bite.
In an exciting twist, Fresh Leaf Co.’s red + green baby leaf salad has also been recognised and has made its way to the finals in the same Deli category. Fresh Leaf Co.’s dedication to providing high-quality, yet affordable salads has led to this well-deserved recognition. Their red and green baby leaves salad is packed with flavour and nutrients, and is another prime example of their commitment to offering great products that consumers can trust.
The Grocer New Product and Packaging Awards are highly respected in the food industry, celebrating excellence in product development, innovation, and packaging design. These awards highlight the best new products in various categories, and are an essential platform for recognising quality and creativity in the market. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on Tuesday, 7th November 2023.
Being named finalists in such a prestigious competition is a huge achievement for GrowUp Farms, and we couldn’t be more proud of both Unbeleafable and Fresh Leaf Co.. Stay tuned to find out how we do, and thank you for your continued support of our innovative salad offerings!
by Becky Hawes | Sep 8, 2023 | News
GrowUp Farms, a pioneering leader in sustainable vertical farming, was recently featured on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today. The segment gave listeners a glimpse into the innovative practices behind the farm’s high-quality salad production. Co-founder Tom Webster and Head of Farm Commercials and Operations Ben Logan joined journalist Dominic King to discuss the growing impact of vertical farming on the future of agriculture.
During the discussion, Webster and Logan explained how GrowUp Farms uses controlled indoor environments and hydroponic systems to consistently produce fresh, pesticide-free salads. This method offers significant benefits, including reduced food waste, extended freshness, and a lower environmental footprint compared to traditional farming. The conversation also touched on the potential for vertical farming to address challenges such as resource scarcity and the demand for sustainable food sources.
The segment highlighted GrowUp Farms’ role in transforming the agriculture industry by showcasing how vertical farming can offer a solution to growing environmental concerns while providing customers with fresh, affordable produce. The feature not only celebrated GrowUp’s achievements but also emphasized the importance of sustainable farming techniques in shaping the future of food production.
To hear more about how vertical farming is changing the face of agriculture and to learn about GrowUp Farms’ groundbreaking operations, listen to the full interview on Farming Today on BBC Radio 4.
Watch here.
by Becky Hawes | Sep 8, 2023 | News
In an engaging podcast, Kent Wildlife Trust Interviews Gillon Dobie, Impact Director at GrowUp Farms, to discuss the future of sustainable farming. This informative conversation sheds light on GrowUp’s innovative vertical farming techniques and practices, offering valuable insights into establishing and maintaining a sustainable vertical farm.
Gillon Dobie delves into the journey of GrowUp Farms, sharing his experiences and challenges faced along the way. He highlights the importance of integrating technology and ecological understanding in developing their successful vertical farming model. Dobie also talks about the continuous improvements GrowUp makes to reduce resource consumption, such as using 94% less water than traditional farming and utilizing renewable energy sources to power the farm. The conversation also explores how vertical farming offers an efficient solution for local, year-round food production, even in adverse weather conditions.
The podcast serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and the practicalities of vertical farming. As the world faces growing challenges around climate change and food security, vertical farming presents a promising solution for meeting future demands in a sustainable way.
Listeners can tune into this thought-provoking podcast on Kent Wildlife Trust’s website, where they can learn more about GrowUp Farms’ inspiring work and the transformative impact of sustainable farming practices. The interview offers a glimpse into the future of agriculture and the role innovative companies like GrowUp are playing in shaping that future.
To watch the podcast, head to Kent Wildlife Trust’s website: Watch here
by Becky Hawes | Sep 5, 2023 | News
Kate Hofman, Founder and Chief Brand Officer of GrowUp Farms, has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious 2023 Barclays Entrepreneur Awards in the Sustainability category. This honor highlights her unwavering dedication to sustainable agriculture and innovation in the vertical farming industry.
The Barclays Entrepreneur Awards are a celebration of businesses and individuals that are driving innovation and creating positive change in their industries. In particular, the Sustainability category recognizes entrepreneurs who are making a lasting impact on the environment, helping to shape a more sustainable world for future generations. Kate’s nomination is a testament to her leadership and GrowUp Farms’ commitment to reshaping the way we grow and consume food.
In the past decade, GrowUp Farms has evolved from a small aquaponic shipping container in London to become one of the UK’s most influential vertical farming companies. With their flagship farm, Pepperness in Kent, GrowUp Farms made history by launching the first-ever bagged salad brand in a major UK supermarket, providing a sustainable solution for everyday grocery shopping. Their farms utilize on-site renewable energy, reducing the environmental footprint of their operations, and allowing them to grow fresh produce with a minimal impact on the planet.
The winners of the 2023 Barclays Entrepreneur Awards, including the Sustainability category, will be announced in November. In the meantime, GrowUp Farms is also up for the People’s Choice Award, and they need your support to win! The award is decided by public vote, and you can show your support by casting your vote before September 29th.
To vote for GrowUp Farms in the People’s Choice category, visit: Vote for GrowUp Farms
by Becky Hawes | Aug 18, 2023 | News
In a groundbreaking achievement, GrowUp Farms has emerged as a pioneer in the field of vertical farming, paving the way for a sustainable and pesticide-free year-round salad supply. The innovative farm, powered by 100% renewable energy and supported by local farmers, is set to revolutionise the way we grow crops.
Earlier this year, Holly Branson popped into a pub in Sandwich, Kent to chat with Kate Hofman (co-founder), and Marcus Whately (CEO) to learn more about their journey – which has been pollinated with purpose from the very first shoots.
The journey of GrowUp Farms was revealed to have begun with Kate personally cycling across London to deliver the first leaves grown in a modified shipping container. GrowUp, at the forefront of vertical farming since 2013, has recently achieved a remarkable milestone in their journey. After a decade of dedicated efforts, the farm has become the first in the United Kingdom to introduce its own branded leaves, brilliantly named Unbeleafable. This venture brings forth a revolutionary approach to agriculture that benefits the environment, boosts productivity, and reduces waste. The team’s dedication and unwavering commitment have resulted in Unbeleafable’s rapid expansion, making it readily available on the shelves of numerous Tesco supermarkets.
As Kate eloquently expressed, “We’ve taken a disused brownfield site and inside it we’ve created the equivalent of 1,000 acres of traditional Grade 1 farmland. The footprint of the land we’re using is a five-acre site.”
Unbeleafable products have revolutionized the freshness of salad, markedly extending it’s shelf life. Addressing the prevalent issue of wastage, research conducted by GrowUp discovered that a staggering 98% of respondents admitted to discarding bagged salad leaves.
Marcus Whately explained, “When we’re growing in a vertical farm, what we’re trying to do is give the crops the perfect environment to grow. It’s a Mediterranean spring day for them all day, every day… We’ve now got something that stays fresher for longer, lasts longer, reduces waste, and offers better value for money.”
The unmistakable taste and crunch of these fresh leaves exemplify the success of their approach.
Holly Said: Thank you to everyone at GrowUp Farms for paving the way toward a more sustainable food system, and showing leaders everywhere that reaping what you sow can be a wonderful thing if you embed purpose at your roots.
Watch the full interview here and see further insights from Holly.
