by Jodie Simm | Jul 23, 2025 | News
The Times recently spoke to our CEO, Mike Hedges, about the future of vertical farming and how GrowUp Farms is scaling up to meet Britain’s demand for sustainable, locally grown food.
Mike, who joined as CEO in November 2024, has already overseen a 50% increase in production. Drawing on his experience leading high-growth food brands like Little Moons, Proper Snacks, and Tyrrells, he’s helping guide GrowUp Farms through its next stage of growth.
His philosophy is simple: focus on doing one thing exceptionally well.
“We’ve been able to do a brilliant job of just growing lettuce. You see so many others who failed have diversified into trying to grow different types of crops. What we’ve done is just concentrate on being the best at what we do.”
Founded in 2013 by Kate Hofman and Tom Webster, GrowUp Farms began in a converted shipping container supplying Borough Market. Over the past decade, the company has raised £100 million in investment, including £38 million from sustainable infrastructure investor Generate Capital in 2024.
With UK salad harvests under pressure from changing weather patterns, Mike believes vertical farming is reaching an inflection point:
“Retailers need resilience in their supply chain. They need to increase their sustainability agenda. And vertical farming will be a cornerstone of supermarket supply chains.”
Read the full article here.
by Jodie Simm | Jul 18, 2025 | News
A new nationwide survey commissioned by GrowUp Farms has found that the majority of UK shoppers are actively looking for more homegrown fruit and vegetables. The research, conducted with 2,000 UK adults, highlights a strong appetite for locally produced food and a desire for greater transparency about where produce comes from.
The findings show that eight in ten people are trying to add more British-grown produce to their baskets, while three in four say they would pay more for UK-grown options. Despite this, only six per cent of respondents know where their food is grown – and two-thirds want that to change.
Our Managing Director, Will Howard commented:
“There’s real power in choosing local – it means fewer food miles, fresher taste, and more support for British farmers. But there is still a lot more to be done.”
The story has received widespread media attention, appearing in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, The Sun and Daily Star, as well as two print publications.
by Jodie Simm | Jun 27, 2025 | News
The UK Government’s new 10-year Industrial Strategy has officially recognised agri-tech as one of the nation’s “frontier sectors”, alongside industries such as aerospace and advanced materials. This milestone reflects the growing innovation, collaboration, and commercial potential of agriculture technology in the UK.
The strategy includes a £200 million commitment to the Farming Innovation Programme, running until 2030. This investment will help agri-tech businesses, like GrowUp Farms, scale up solutions that can tackle some of the biggest challenges in food production and sustainability.
Agri-tech’s importance is clear. As Richard Waite from the World Resources Institute puts it:
“Worried about biodiversity loss? Focus on food.
Worried about deforestation? Focus on food.
Worried about overfishing? Focus on food.
Worried about climate change? Focus on energy. And food.”
With the number of UK agri-tech startups increasing 40-fold in the past decade (UK Research and Innovation), this recognition signals a new era for innovation in farming. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the UK’s food system, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure greater resilience in the supply chain.
At GrowUp Farms, our purpose is to change the world by growing better. This platform gives our sector the visibility and support needed to keep developing sustainable, technology-driven solutions for the UK and beyond.
by Jodie Simm | Jun 5, 2025 | News
GrowUp Farms has achieved an AA+ rating in our latest BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety audit, a globally recognised certification that reflects our ongoing commitment to the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and operational excellence.
The AA+ rating is the highest possible result and recognises the strength of our food safety culture. Achieving it takes more than passing an inspection, it requires year-round commitment, shared responsibility, and a team that consistently upholds high standards in every part of the business.
To mark the achievement, the team celebrated with cake featuring our food safety mascot, SARA, a reminder of our approach: Spot. Access. Report. Act
by Jodie Simm | May 19, 2025 | News
Unbeleafable’s New Look Has Landed!
We’re shaking up the salad aisle with a bold Unbeleafable new look, a fresh identity that’s as vibrant and flavourful as the leaves inside every pack.
Our love for fresh flavours, vibrant food, and healthy eating inspired us to reimagine what salad can be. We wanted to make it something to get excited about, not just a bit on the side. The Unbeleafable new look reflects that spirit: bright, positive, and packed with purpose. 🌿
This refresh is more than just a design update. It’s a reflection of our mission to grow tastier leaves for a happier planet, using the sustainable farming innovation we’re proud of at GrowUp Farms.
A huge thank-you to our amazing team for bringing this to life, your creativity and passion made it happen. 💚
You can find our Unbeleafable new look in Tesco now, and on shelves in Sainsbury’s and Co-op from June.
