Earlier this year, Eden Green Technology, a Texas-based indoor vertical farming company, launched its flagship herb program. The program leverages Eden Green’s patented microclimate technology and networked distribution model to improve logistics, reduce environmental impact and increase access to fresh, affordable herbs.
Eden Green provides locally grown produce year-round for retail, white-label and private-label solutions in a proprietary hydroponic vine system.
Cultivating a diverse array of herbs presents a significant challenge for a traditional farm or greenhouse, as each variety demands specific climatic conditions and matures at a different rate, according to the grower. Eden Green’s microclimate technology addresses this challenge by enabling each plant to grow in a customized environment and receive a meticulously calibrated nutrient mix all year long. This approach optimizes the use of energy, water and nutrients and allows various herbs to thrive side-by-side in a single facility. Eden Green expects the result to be a more efficient, less wasteful and cost-effective method of growing a wide selection of herbs, enhancing the potential for faster and more sustainable cultivation.
“Until now, the agricultural industry relied upon aggregators piecing together different herb crops from around the world to deliver fresh, affordable and high-quality produce year-round. Innovative approaches are necessary to keep up with growing demand, particularly with complex programs like herbs,” says Eddy Badrina, CEO of Eden Green. “We believe [our grow system] is the key to delivering fresh, high-quality produce sustainably and at an affordable price.”
In addition to resource efficiency, Eden Green says its herb program will simplify supply chain logistics. In the typical retail model, sourcing a complete suite of herbs necessitates multiple distributors and international importation. Not only is this logistically complex, herbs spend most of their shelf life in transportation, undergoing repeated packaging. Instead, Eden Green will grow and package all major herb varieties in a single vertical greenhouse. Because the company is located within miles of major distribution centers, Eden Green is able to deliver herbs from farm to shelf within just 48 hours. This, combined with innovative packaging solutions that reduce waste and time spent repacking products, reduces the distance food travels, ensures freshness and nutrition and streamlines logistics for retailers, according to the grower.
Eden Green will grow more than 10 herb varieties, including basil, cilantro, chives, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme. One facility will produce 350,000 to 400,000 pounds of fresh, sustainable herbs a year. The company will distribute herbs to retailers and food service companies across the U.S. through its exclusive distributor, Robinson Fresh.
“To supply a variety of fresh, high-quality produce to people around the world, sustainably and affordably, we need truly disruptive technologies,” says Molly Tabron, director of supply at Robinson Fresh. “Eden Green’s unique approach to fresh produce does just that, and we look forward to seeing the herb program come to life.”
Read the rest of the 2024 State of the Industry Report:
Pacing for profitability: Tom Stenzel and Tracy Nazzaro
Innovations, local demand fuel growth: Vonnie Estes
Where are the robots?: Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
States court CEA business, education for economic development: University of Wyoming
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