by Becky Hawes | 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.
by Becky Hawes | Sep 22, 2023 | News
Members of the Lords Horticultural Sector Committee visited pioneering Kent-based vertical farm, GrowUp Farms, in Sandwich this week to find out about how vertical farming’s future will play a key role in farming.
Lord Carter, Lord Colgrain, Lord Coles, Baroness Fookes, Lord Redesdale and Baroness Walmsley visited the farm – called Pepperness – which is leading the charge in vertical farms in the UK as it was the first to sell its salad ranges through UK supermarkets.
The House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee was created in April this year to produce a report on the horticultural industry. A 12-strong committee from all parties including crossbenchers is considering the challenges faced by the sector, which is worth billions to the UK economy and is a significant contributor to UK food security.
GrowUp Farms is the UK’s leading vertical farm, and launched its Unbeleafable salad range in Tesco stores in July this year.
A vertical farm is an innovative agricultural system, designed to grow crops in vertically stacked layers in a controlled indoor environment. The growing process means that salad can be grown year-round in the UK and uses up to 94% less water than traditional growing.
Pepperness grows the salad without the need to use pesticides of any kind, nor does it need chlorine-washing, in fact the salad doesn’t need to be washed at all before eating – all processes which degrade the quality of the leaves. The supply chain is significantly reduced, so the salad only travels from Kent to UK supermarkets, rather than from overseas. It tastes fresher and crisper and lasts longer than other salads, which means there’s less waste produced too.
“We’re very proud of what we are achieving here at Pepperness, and the part we’re playing in the future of food security for the UK” said Kate Hofman, founder and Chief Brand Officer of GrowUp Farms. “Currently the UK imports around 67% of its salad from warmer climates, and this rises to 90% in the winter*, so vertical farms can help the UK to be more self-sufficient in producing food.”
“We were delighted to welcome the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee to Pepperness, and we very much support the inquiry into the considerable challenges facing this sector, not least the effects of climate change.
“We grow, harvest, and pack our salads for supermarkets across the UK, all at Pepperness in Kent. The farm’s highly controlled environment simulates a beautiful Mediterranean spring day, every day, providing the perfect growing conditions for salad.”
Lord Redesdale, Chair of the Committee, said: “Horticulture is worth billions to the UK economy. From healthy fruit and vegetables to the multitude of crop and plant varieties that can be grown in the UK, it is a fundamental component of a secure food supply, supports the wellbeing of millions of people, and could provide innovative solutions to the challenges presented by climate change. Despite this, horticulture has been continually overlooked and undervalued.
“As part of our inquiry, we were delighted to visit Pepperness and see how GrowUp Farms is putting real innovation into practice to build resilience into the UK horticulture sector.”
Pepperness was originally a brownfield site. Following £100m investment, GrowUp Farms is building the equivalent of 1000 acres of Grade 1 farmland on the site and has recently got the green light to further expand the farm, which will increase its output by 40%.
GrowUp Farms was the first vertical farm to sell a salad in a UK supermarket when it launched its first salad brand, Fresh Lead Co. into Iceland in February 2023. It is also the first to sell a vertical farm produced salad range in Tesco, with the launch of Unbeleafable in July.
Kate Hofman does have a wider message for the Government: “Although we are already producing food and selling it through the UK’s biggest supermarket, we are at a disadvantage compared to traditional growers when it comes to access to incentives. Vertical farms are treated as emerging technology which means we cannot benefit from the ‘Sustainable Farming Incentive’ in Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), which traditional farmers receive to improve their practices.
“If vertical farming continues to be treated as an emerging technology, the government is missing an opportunity to grow the industry, create a sustainable supply chain and deliver the outcomes laid out in the government’s Environment Plan. The extension of ELMS to include vertical farming would create a level playing field for more farming techniques that produce high-quality food and take care of the environment.”
*British Retail Consortium
by Becky Hawes | 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.
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
