Vertical farming is truly growing. This increasingly popular concept involves growing lettuce, strawberries, herbs and other agricultural products in temperature-controlled indoor settings — settings characterized by electrically lit crops spread across vertically stacked rows.
What is vertical farming?
“There is no strict definition of what a vertical farm is, but they typically consist of shallow trays stacked within a building, lit with LED lighting at each level. Many vertical farms have no windows and some are even built underground,” the BBC explains.
Vertically farmed crops can be grown using soil, aeroponic, aquaponic or hydroponic growing methods.
The benefits of vertical farming, and drawbacks
Benefits of vertical farming include:
• Ability to grow crops year-round
• Reduced land use
• Higher crop yields
• Limited exposure to pesticides
• Conservation of water
During a May 2023 visit to a micro-farm, Vice President Kamala Harris said that “because of the climate crisis, growing more food with less water will be one of the defining challenges of the 21st century.”
Unfortunately, vertical farming also has drawbacks such as:
• Heavy dependence on electricity that might be generated using fossil fuels
• Limitations on types of crops that can be grown
• No need for pollinators
“Vertical farms make sense in areas where land and water are scarce, especially if renewable energy is available. They can also create jobs and give new purpose to vacant buildings,” the University of Wisconsin says. “So, despite their drawbacks, vertical farms are still worthy of consideration in certain scenarios.”
What kinds of crops are grown at vertical farms?
Despite the limitations on what can be grown indoors, vertical farming produces a variety of crops. They include:
• Cabbage
• Chard
• Collard greens
• Herbs like basil, chives, mint and parsley
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Rocket
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
“Generally, fresh produce grown in vertical farms travels only a few miles to reach grocery store shelves compared to conventional produce, which can travel thousands of miles by truck or plane,” says the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
How much does vertically grown produce cost?
While vertical farming can cut down on land and water use, the benefits come at a cost.
According to AgFunderNews, retail prices for greens are about $1 per pound for conventionally grown crops, $4 per pound for greenhouse-grown crops, $5 per pound for vertically grown crops and $12 per pound for container-grown crops.
Much of the extra expense related to vertical farming stems from the cost of electricity to power climate, ventilation and LED lighting systems. Energy eats up 50% to 70% of a vertical farm’s operating costs.
“Vertical farms are still a work in progress. Meanwhile, don’t write off this technology just yet. It might be the most efficient and sustainable solution to alleviate hunger,” says Better Farm, which operates a sustainability education center and organic farm.
What does the future hold for vertical farming?
It’s tough to predict the future of vertical farming, according to Kai-Shu Ling, a research plant pathologist in Charleston, South California.
“Vertical farming is an emerging technology. Although it is still a small market right now, it has tremendous growth potential as environment control, automation and crop production technologies are improved and energy costs are reduced,” Ling said in a 2023 interview with the federal Agricultural Research Service.
Ling believes vertical farming could account for about 50% of U.S. production of leafy greens within 10 years, and roughly 5% of the strawberry and tomato markets.
A report from Fortune Business Insights forecasts the global market for vertical farming market will jump from $5.05 billion in 2023 to $27.4 billion in 2030. The market research firm says the COVID-19 pandemic spurred more interest in vertical farming due to supply chain constraints on traditional farming.
The Silicon Valley Innovation Center notes that “the innovative and transformative nature of vertical farming holds immense potential to reshape the future of agriculture and food security. As we confront the growing challenges of a burgeoning global population, land scarcity, climate change, and environmental concerns, the need for a new agricultural paradigm becomes ever more apparent.”
Wired magazine foresees a scenario where LED-powered farms could be paired with traditional agriculture to grow plants.
“As for a future where vast amounts of vegetables are grown in warehouses under LED lights all over the world? Maybe don’t hold your breath,” says the magazine, noting the flaws of vertical farming.
Kroger’s growing role in vertical farming
Kroger, the parent company of Vitacost, is contributing to the future of vertical farming.
In August 2023, Kroger expanded its partnership with vertical farming company 80 Acres Farms. Kroger launched its 80 Acres Farms partnership in 2019. By 2021, the partnership encompassed more than 300 stores in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The partnership soon will comprise more than 1,000 stores in the Midwest and Southeast.
The partnership brings 80 Acres Farms salad blends, herbs and tomatoes to stores owned by Kroger.
“Retailers have long been attracted to indoor farming because of its potential to supply fresh, healthy and great-tasting produce in a more environmentally sustainable and resilient manner,” says Mike Zelkind, co-founder and CEO of 80 Acres Farms. “Kroger recognizes the importance of vertical farming in our nation’s future food supply chain, and the value we deliver by offering differentiated products that customers love.”
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