Kalera plans to build a new vertical farm in Ohio

Kalera, one of the technology leaders in urban vertical hydroponics, plans to build a "vertical farm" next year in Columbus, Ohio. This plan is part of the company's effort to become one of the US largest year-round closed farm operators.

The company opened its first farm in 2018 at the Orlando World Center Marriott, and earlier this year opened a second farm in Orlando. Then, after fueling a $150 million round of investments, Kalera began building farms in Houston, Atlanta and Denver, and announced construction another farm in Seattle.

Daniel Malechuk, CEO of the company, said the company chose Columbus for its first farm in the Midwest because of the lively restaurant scene. "With most of the nation’s greens grown on the West Coast, we’re thrilled to be able to provide Midwest customers year-round access to hyper-local produce," he added.

The first investment in Ohio is expected to bring innovative hydroponic agriculture and 65 new jobs to the Columbus region. The new 75,000-square-foot facility will grow greens for grocery stores, restaurants, airports and institutions.

According to Malechuk, the company sees Columbus as a great point for them, not only to service Columbus, but also to the local population of Canton, Akron, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Kalera also have plan to stretch into Indiana and Michigan.

The company plans to open the Columbus farm in fall of 2021 and, about six weeks after opening, hopes to harvest the first greens, which include all types of leafy greens and micro-greens: romaine, frisee, red oak leaf, bibb and a proprietary blend called Kalera Crunch.

Melechuk commented that using LED lights, each of their hydroponic facility can produce "millions of heads of lettuce a year." Moreover, vertical farming uses 3% to 5% of the water required by traditional farming. "Our products put into the hands of the consumer still alive, within a few hours. They are never treated with pesticides. It's fresh, clean, tasty ... and it's year round", he added.

Vertical farms promote their produce as fresher and healthier, as well as easier for the environment to produce.

Kalera is a U.S. grower of produce and one of the world's leaders in the science and technology for vertically farming the quality produce. The company combines the latest in data-driven automation technologies with the science of hydroponics to create the best conditions for plants growth. Kalera's primary customers are restaurants, casinos, airports, as well as entertainment and sports facilities.

Visit company’s website for more information.