Pick n Pay launches 'vertical farm' operations at some stores

Added on 29 March 2022

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Pick n Pay launches 'vertical farm' operations at some stores

Pick n Pay has become the first South African retailer to launch in-store "vertical farms" to showcase a sustainable and locally-grown modern farming solution.

The vertical farms grow various lettuce leaves and herbs from seeds, right in Pick n Pay's fruit and vegetable section.

The farming method display in-store is a growing trend globally with supermarkets in Europe and US, such as Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Whole Foods Market, introducing grown in-store leaf.

Pick n Pay On Nicol in Sandton and Pick n Pay Constantia in Cape Town are the first stores to pilot the vertical farms.

Vertical farming is a sustainable and low carbon farming method using 95 percent less water, 85 percent less fertiliser and no pesticides.

According to the United Nations, the global food supply will have to increase by 50 percent by 2050 to accommodate the projected demand for the world's growing population.

At the same time, there is a need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but agriculture is one of the greatest contributors to global warming, accounting for 24 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Pick n Pay Head of Produce and Horticulture Liz van Niekerk in a statement, said the displays should pique the interest of environmentally-minded customers, but especially the youth, who will be able to see first-hand how produce grows and help connect them more to farming.