Vertical Roots expands hydroponic lettuce offering to 303 Food Lion stores

The recently minted retail partnership brings Vertical Roots' total distribution reach to over 2,000 stores, expanding consumer access to fresh, locally-grown leafy greens.

Food Lion will sell Vertical Roots' full line of Vertical Roots hydroponic lettuce including Green Butter, Green Oak, and Green Leaf, and large leaf lettuce mixes.

"Our new retail partnership with Food Lion is evidence of both our strong retail partnerships and the significant demand for regionally grown hydroponic produce among consumers, which is expanding to value shoppers,"​ said Andrew Hare, co-founder and general manager of Vertical Roots."​

Designed to grow its produce as close to the point of consumption as possible, Vertical Roots uses repurposed shipping containers to grow its leafy greens and operates farm sites in Charleston, South Carolina (the company's headquarters); Columbia, South Carolina; and Atlanta with plans to open multiple new farms in centrally-located, high-demand regions in 2022.

Each farm is powered by the company's proprietary hardware, management software and technology, enabling them to use up to 25% less water and grow crops 25% faster than traditional farming methods. 

Vertical Roots produce is harvested, packaged and shipped within the same day, offering consumers a shelf life of 21 days, weeks longer than conventionally-grown produce, according to the company.

"As a company of modern technology-enabled farmers, we are 100% committed to delivering clean, healthy, and sustainable food to all the communities in which our products are sold, and focused on making our produce accessible to as many people as possible,"​ added Hare.