Islandview vertical farm back in business with new partners

Planted Detroit, located at Mt. Elliott and E. Lafayette, reopened in late December with new operational partnerships, cheaper salads, and a fraction of its original staff. 

The business originally opened in 2018 using hydroponic technology to grow produce indoors year-round. It also packaged and distributed salads. In 2022, Planted Detroit had a record year and, by 2023, had begun construction to expand operations by 10,000 square feet. 

But the company closed abruptly in August after operators said it couldn’t sell enough salads to keep up with costs. 

As it ceased operations, Tom Adamczyk, chief executive officer and founder, said he needed to secure $4 million in investment to reopen. The company was unable to secure the $4 million, meaning some changes had to be made. 

In a written statement to BridgeDetroit, Adamczyk said that his team secured “strategic partnerships” over the past few months that will allow the company to “focus on being a farm.” 

“Our partnerships are the reason Planted Detroit was able to re-open,” he said. 

Prior to the shutdown, Planted Detroit was handling all business aspects in-house, from growing, sourcing, packing, and distributing. Now, new partners will handle everything but farming. The new partners include Meijer, Carmela Foods, Lipari, Fulfilld, Cindy’s Kitchen, Frog Holler, Aramark, the University of Michigan, as well as Detroit-based LaGrasso Brothers Produce. 

Continue reading.

Source: