New water-saving 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.”
At GrowUp Farms, crops are grown in layers under special LED lights
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.
Liam Burlace, who co-founded the company, said the aim was to “treat water better”
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.
From a small London unit to a large Kent site, GrowUp Farms supplies Tesco with British-grown salad year-round, boosting UK salad supply through vertical farming.
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.
GrowUp Farms was founded in 2013 by Kate Hofman and Tom Webster. They wanted to combine new and existing technology to grow food that tasted better, lasted longer, and reduced the environmental impact of getting healthy food onto people’s plates. Their purpose has always been better food for all.
GrowUp Farms latest and biggest farm, Pepperness, in Kent produces fresh salads for the UK market. It combines innovative farming technology with renewable energy, using electricity and residual heat from the bioenergy plant next door.
Using vertical growing technologies and controlled environment agriculture, GrowUp Farms produces a year-round harvest of fresh, leafy vegetables. They’re the first vertical farm to introduce a branded salad into a supermarket chain in the UK with the launch of Fresh Leaf Co. in Iceland stores across the country in February 2023 and SPAR in February 2024, and the Unbeleafable range in Tesco in July 2023.
Alex Edwards, Category Buying Manager – Produce at Tesco says ‘’We’re excited to offer Tesco shoppers Unbeleafable, an innovative new range of bagged salads grown using renewable energy and grown all year-round in the UK. It stays fresh for longer – making it an excellent choice for both the planet and consumers who we expect will waste less at home. As Tesco progresses towards our goal of net zero from farm to fork by 2050, we’re always looking for more choices that support us and our shoppers in eating more sustainably.”
The challenge
In order to continue growing the best salad, year-round, GrowUp Farms must ensure that every aspect of their operations is optimised, including using technology to reduce energy consumption. They needed to ensure that the lighting used in the farm is , sustainable and economically viable, especially given the energy crisis.
Lighting is a critical component of an optimised commercial growing environment. Against the backdrop of rising energy prices, choosing the right lighting partner was even more important.
GrowUp Farms needs reliable technology to meet the standards of a high-care production environment. This is where the best quality lighting has a huge role to play.
The solution
Having worked with Philips Horticulture at their previous farm and their Leaf Lab in Cambridge, the team at GrowUp Farms already knew that they were making the right choice in technology and lighting solutions in working with Philips again. They trusted that the lighting was going to be reliable and would help deliver the quality of product while being more energy efficient.
Tailored light recipes are used to grow their leafy vegetables. The light recipe contributes to the higher quality leaves. Kate Hofman comments, GrowUp’s Founder says ‘’The lighting helps produce a strong and consistent high-quality product. There has never been more need for sustainable, resilient and local food systems and for this, each element of technology in the farm has a huge role to play.’’
Philips Horticulture LED lighting was the perfect solution as it offers greater control over plant growth, faster germination, faster root growth, and bigger yields. Philips Horticulture LED lighting systems use 85% less energy than traditional methods, making them highly energy efficient. GrowUp Farms also chose to work with Philips Horticulture as they were looking for the right partners who could bring knowledge and expertise and help GrowUp with the right technology to manage a controlled and concise yield, in turn helping with commercial viability.
Kate Hofman adds, “Using LED lighting offers several benefits for growing sustainable food. Working with Philips as a lighting partner again and using the right kind of lighting in our farms makes it possible for us to grow fresh salad sustainably throughout the year. We knew from our experience of working with Philips that we already had the right partner for the next farm.”
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
LONDON – Kate Hofman, founder of the pioneering GrowUp Farms, the first vertical farm to have a branded bagged salad in major UK supermarkets (Tesco and Iceland), has won two major awards at the prestigious 2023 Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
The awards scooped by the food and social impact entrepreneur were the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year and the Equity-backed Entrepreneur of the year.
Now in its 11th year, and previously described as “The Grammys for Entrepreneurship”, The Great British Entrepreneur Award (GBEA) winners were named on November 20th at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House, and 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.
In the past 10 years, the pioneering founder of GrowUp Farms, Kate Hofman, has taken the concept of vertical farming from a small urban farm in London, to a huge vertical farm in Kent. This farm, which is backed by £100 million investment, was the first vertical farm to sell a branded bagged salad in major UK supermarkets, with the launch earlier this year of their two award-winning salads: Unbeleafable, which is in Tesco stores nationwide, and Fresh Leaf Co., which is in Iceland and Food Warehouse stores.
GrowUp Farms is also unique among UK vertical farms because it uses on-site renewable heat and power and can therefore grow food with a lighter environmental footprint.
The growth and success of GrowUp Farms has taken place in a decade of increasing concern about UK food production. The UK relies on importing 67% of the salad we eat each year, and over 90% in the winter. This year saw a 40-year low in domestic salad production – due mainly to soaring energy costs – and that, coupled with the UK’s over-reliance on other countries for its salad vegetables supplies, led to high-profile shortages in UK supermarkets.
“I am very proud to have won these two awards at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and am accepting them on behalf of the wider team at GrowUp Farms, which has spent 10 years developing the technology and expertise to get to this point: growing salad leaves in the UK year-round commercially” said Hofman.
“Winning awards is hugely gratifying because it allows us to sit back for a moment and appreciate how much we have achieved – and what all the hard work has been for. Our salads are also winning product awards – which is fantastic! This recognition by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards is incredibly encouraging and motivating for us all and gives us the impetus to keep striving.
“Our R&D team is already solving some of the challenges that will allow us to grow other crops such as identifying heritage seed varieties that can’t be grown conventionally and improving the growth cycle of certain plants. Vertical farming is very much a long-term solution to the problems we are seeing.”
The GBEA judges said: “GrowUp Farms has a remarkable story showcasing an incredible female entrepreneur, Kate Hofman, with a clear vision and a well thought out plan for the future. The business itself is truly terrific, reflecting remarkable determination and skill, leading to significant investment and growth.
“GrowUp Farms is an inspiring story of innovation in sustainable farming. The judges commended the fantastic idea and remarkable business growth, noting that vertical farming represents the future of agriculture, allowing for a reduction in land usage while contributing to the development of biodiversity.”
GrowUp Farms, a pioneering vertical farm, has won two accolades at The Grocer’s New Product and Packaging Awards 2023. GrowUp Farms’ Unbeleafable rocket and baby leaves scooped the Champion of the Deli award at The Grocer’s prestigious event this week.
The rocket and baby leaves are part of the first-ever salad range produced by a vertical farm to be sold in a major supermarket. Alongside rocket and baby leaves, the range includes crisp green leaves and mixed baby leaves, all available in selected Tesco stores across the UK.
The panel of judges from The Grocer’s awards praised the concept of Unbeleafable – a longer-life, ready-to-eat, bagged salad that’s grown all year round in the UK. They applauded GrowUp Farms for their ambition to reduce the UK’s reliance on salad imports. The judges also appreciated the story, design, and personality of this “fab innovation” and noted that the inclusion of rocket gave the salad a great peppery kick and “flavour hit.”
GrowUp Farms’ second salad brand, Fresh Leaf Co. red + green baby leaf salad, which is available to buy in selected Iceland stores, won the Silver Award in the Deli Category.
Both salads are grown without using pesticides and are not chlorine-washed, unlike other bagged salads. These processes help preserve the quality of the leaves, making them tastier, crisper, and fresher for longer. As a result, Unbeleafable salad is less likely to be thrown away, helping to cut down on food waste linked to bagged salads.
The salads are also longer-lasting as they are grown and packed in Kent, shortening the supply chain, and are grown using 94% less water than bagged salads produced from a field or greenhouse.
Reflecting on GrowUp Farms’ success at The Grocer’s awards, Kate Hofman, founder of GrowUp Farms, said: “It has been a fantastic year for the team at GrowUp Farms with the launch of Unbeleafable, the first salad range to be grown commercially in a vertical farm and stocked by a major supermarket like Tesco. Also, getting Fresh Leaf Co. on the shelves in Iceland has been a great coup too.
“The Grocer’s New Product and Packaging Awards are the most respected awards in the food and drink industry, and all of the brands want to get their hands on a New Product gong – and we have two! It’s also a real boost to see that the judges were unanimously impressed by our ambition to play a role in reducing the UK’s reliance on salad imports. What a way to end the year.”
The Grocer editor-in-chief and event host, Adam Leyland, said: “Innovation is alive and well. There is some fantastic innovation in grocery FMCG, and it makes me feel excited about the future.
“These awards are an incredibly important reminder to retailers – and shoppers – of the fantastic innovation in which brands big and small are engaged: enriching the lives of customers, who look to brands, as much as they do to the supermarkets, to innovate and excite them, while providing much-needed revenue, differentiation, and quality to the grocers.”
Unbeleafable rocket and baby leaves are part of the Unbeleafable salad (90g) range, which includes crisp green leaves and mixed baby leaves. All three products retail at £1.50 and are available at Tesco stores.
Unbeleafable rocket and baby leaves is part of the Unbeleafable salad (90g) range, which includes crisp green leaves and mixed baby leaves. All three products retail at £1.50 and are available at Tesco stores.
Fresh Leaf Co. red + green baby leaf salad (70g) retails at £1 and is available at selected Iceland and Food Warehouse stores.
At GrowUp Farms, crops are grown in layers under special LED lights
Liam Burlace, who co-founded the company, said the aim was to “treat water better”
