By Mark Bolda
Interesting article unearthed during this morning's Twitter scroll on how a company in Newark will be starting commercial production of strawberries vertically farmed in a warehouse. The advantages, well outlined in the article, are twofold, those being very close to the market and year round availability.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/bowerys-vertical-farming-strawberries-go-on-sale-in-new-york-.html
Also, a quote from the president of Driscoll's in the Americas about how the recently exposed vulnerability of our supply chains has one thinking that maybe being this much closer to big markets with your fruit production is worthwhile to look at.
It seems this deal is starting to have some wings. In the case of vegetables, total value 2019 consumed in the USA was $18.9 billion, with those grown under cover, permanent or temporary, composing $702.5 million, which runs to 3.7% of the total. Which is a whole lot more than I would have imagined.
Very nice looking pack of the newly released vertically grown berries. I'm looking at not just the fun, colored presentation, but also the size, which is half of our typical clear plastic clamshell.
Source : ucanr.edu