London vertical farming company becomes a B Corp

Becoming a B Corp is a rigorous process that requires a company to display socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, staff pay, diversity and corporate transparency. To complete the certification, Harvest London has changed its articles of association to embed a commitment to balancing profit with having a positive impact on people and the planet.

Founded in 2017 by Chris Davies and Matt Chlebek, Harvest London is a specialist vertical farm operator which has grown a range of herbs, leafy greens and fruiting vines for customers including award-winning chefs, restaurant chains and meal kit providers. The farm's hydroponic method reduces water use compared to traditional farming, prevents agricultural pollution of rivers, and saves customers hundreds of thousands of food miles a year. Vertical farms use energy to power the lighting and climate control systems, which Harvest London sources from a 100% renewable electricity supplier. By becoming a B Corp, the company has committed to annual reporting on its environmental impact, including energy use. 

The company is on the verge of significant expansion, aiming to begin construction on a new 5,000m2 vertical farm on the outskirts of London imminently. Globally, 4,400 businesses have been certified as B Corps, with over 600 companies in the UK, including The Body Shop and Abel & Cole. Only a handful of vertical farming companies have achieved certification so far, with Harvest London's rating of 104.7 the highest among them, based on the B Corp register.  A score of 80, across the areas of  Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, is required to be certified. 

Chris Davies, Founder and CEO of Harvest London, said: 

"We set up Harvest London because we could see how unsustainable and insecure the food supply chain was. Vertical farming offered a way to bring food production much closer to consumers in cities and improve the sustainability of the ingredients we use.

"From the start we also wanted to make sure that we were having a positive impact in a broader sense - reducing resource use and treating our customers and people well. We're excited to be certified as a B Corp because it shows how much we have thought about what it means to do good as a business, and it ensures we will continue to improve as the company grows."   

Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Harvest London to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good.

"We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community - from startups to multinationals and across many different industries. Welcoming Harvest London is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the controlled environment agriculture industry."

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Photo by PHÚC LONG on Unsplash

Source: Harvest London