Partnership steering indoor-grown produce in new direction
Added on 02 January 2024
Food distributors and retailers continue to partner with CEA brands to overcome their supply and food safety challenges. But as the demand for indoor-grown produce increases, one produce distributor has realized a greater potential for CEA and is blurring the lines between farmer and distributor to bring indoor-grown produce further up the value chain.
Senn Brothers Produce, a leading wholesale food distributor in South Carolina, recently launched its own vertical farm to support the introduction of its indoor-grown private-label brand, Sennsational FRESH which features a variety of leafy greens in its product lineup. With full control of its lettuce supply, Senn Brothers is creating more added value for its customer network and increasing indoor-grown produce availability for end consumers.
To establish its farm operation, Senn Brothers partnered with agricultural technology provider AmplifiedAg to provide the modular farm infrastructure, software platform, and farm management advisory services. AmplifiedAg modular farms are resilient, compact and scalable, enabling local food production year-round at key distribution points. With a precision controlled environment, a single unit produces 3,400+ heads of lettuce every harvest with consistent high-quality yields; and the software platform manages and monitors harvest schedules, client orders, food safety alerts, and product distribution for complete farm business management.
Senn Brothers’ current operation produces over 112,000 lbs. of leafy greens annually, and is anticipated to scale and diversify with client demand.
According to Zach Senn, the executive overseeing the vertical farming operation, and third-generation family member of Senn Brothers Produce: “We’re forging a new way for distributors to supply produce to their buyer networks. At Senn Brothers, we strive for diversity in what we offer, and to provide consistency and value for our customers. The benefits of vertical farming allow us to control our supply and meet our food quality, food safety, and distribution standards.”
“We’ve been sourcing indoor-grown produce for the last few years. But operating our own farm gives us the flexibility to customize products and packs for clients, and deliver them quickly instead of seeking new procurement. Right now we’re trialing new custom blends with restaurant owners.”
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