What they do: BrightFarms designs, finances, builds and operates hydroponic greenhouse farms at, or near, supermarkets, eliminating time, distance and cost from the food supply chain. They produce local, fresh produce for local retailers. They sell food immediately upon harvesting and deliver locally, which means a longer shelf life and the elimination of storage and shipping costs.
How they do it: Their production methods have less impact on the environment than traditional farms as they use less land and water, do not use chemical pesticides or agricultural runoff and leave a dramatically reduced carbon footprint. Retailers are provided a long-term, fixed-price contract to protect them from rising costs and inconsistent supply.
Mission: For the Health of the Planet, by improving the environmental impact of the food supply chain.
For the Health of Our Society, by encouraging the consumption of whole and fresh foods.
Latest project/campaign: 9/21/16 Tech Crunch: BrightFarms has raised $30.1 million in Series C funding to bring its high-tech greenhouses, and fresh produce, across the U.S. (https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/21/brightfarms-raises-30-1-million-to-set-up-futuristic-greenhouses-across-the-u-s/)
Major Funding: N/A
Profit/nonprofit: For Profit
Annual budget: N/A
Interesting fact about how they are working to positively affect the food system: BrightFarms’ greenhouses use natural sunlight, which makes them more environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient than indoor farms and allows them to produce more supply than container-based and rooftop farms.
FACT SHEET
Location:
- 21 W 46th Street
- Suite 1109
- New York, NY, 10036
Core Programs:
Urban agriculture. Local produce supply to retailers.
Number of staff: 80
Number of volunteers: 0
Areas served:
- NYC, but not restricted
Date started: 2011
Director: Paul Lightfoot
Contact information:
Photo Credit: BrightFarms
