OUR IMPACT
At GrowUp, impact is at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud to share how we’re delivering on our purpose: Better food for all.
OUR IMPACT REPORT
At GrowUp, impact is so important to us, which is why we’re thrilled to share our 2023 Impact Report! This report is more than just numbers; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to our purpose: Better food for all.
This year has been one of remarkable growth, innovation, and purpose-driven achievements, and we’re excited to share the milestones we’ve reached. We also believe in full transparency, so we’ve included the goals we didn’t quite manage to achieve as well.
Although it’s a big part of what we do, our work isn’t just about growing great-tasting, long-lasting leaves; it’s about nurturing a positive impact on the environment, our communities, and the entire food supply chain.
With that being said, we invite you to leaf through our Impact Report to explore the details of our journey and celebrate our collective successes.
WE’RE A PURPOSE-LED BUSINESS
We’ve been hard at work rethinking how food is grown, cutting down the negative side effects of farming. Pesticides? Never. Chemical run-off? Not in our farms. We’ve dialed in our farming process to use less water and waste from farm to fridge. The result? Fresher, tastier food that’s grown smarter, not harder.
Our farm at Pepperness is even built on brownfield land, meaning we didn’t have to disturb local biodiversity—just one more way we’re being kind to the planet.
But we didn’t stop there. We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in vertical farming: Energy! Our farms are designed with renewable energy in mind, so we don’t depend on non-green sources. And with Pepperness located right next to a bioenergy facility, we’ve got access to 100% green energy and heat, all day, every day. This lets us create the perfect growing environment for our leaves without tapping into fossil fuels—and that’s a win for the planet.
EFFICIENCY AND VERTICAL FARMING
We grow crops stacked in layers indoors. It’s the most space-efficient way to produce fresh food year-round. We write the weather forecast for our leaves; by controlling the weather forecast inside we can grow salad with precision, giving them just the right amount of light, water, and nutrients. We don’t require soil to grow, we don’t use pesticides, and we can recycle lots of water. We grow 365 days a year!
We carefully create the perfect environment for our crops to grow. That means:
- Grown without pesticides
- No nutrient runoff or soil erosion
- Circular and efficient water use
- Precise nutrient application
- Minimal transport and land use
DOING THE BEST FOR
OUR WORKERS, OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR CUSTOMERS.
Unlike traditional farming, we don’t have seasons, so we don’t use seasonal workers. We regularly ask for feedback to make sure everyone is happy, fulfilled, and feels valued. If not, we’ll make any improvements we can to help. We want everyone working at GrowUp to feel supported and given the room they need to grow.
NAMED THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST PLACE TO WORK TWO YEARS IN A ROW.
We’re pleased to have been named one of the The Sunday Times Best Places To Work 2023 & 2024! We’re all about creating a positive environment, not just for our crops but for our team, too.