Can Vertical Farming be Sustainable and Profitable: Lessons Learned

AeroFarms, the leading supplier of microgreens to the U.S. retail market, announces that CEO Molly Montgomery will be speaking at FRUIT LOGISTICA in Berlin, Germany on February 5, 2025. Her presentation, titled "Can Vertical Farming be Sustainable and Profitable - Lessons Learned," will explore the potential of vertical farming as a sustainable and economically viable solution for the global food supply chain.

FRUIT LOGISTICA, the world's premier trade fair for the fresh produce industry, serves as a hub for innovation and inspiration in the sector. Montgomery's address will draw from her extensive experience in the food and agricultural industry, including her tenure at AeroFarms, to explore key questions surrounding the pivotal role that vertical farming can play in modern agriculture.

"Agriculture is under extreme pressure from weather volatility, desertification, and declining water resources - making food security a critical issue around the world," said Montgomery. "Transformative innovation is required in all aspects of the global fresh produce supply chain to ensure we can feed our growing population. With a climate-agnostic farming method, AeroFarms can make a significant impact on food security by providing year-round, local access to nutrient-dense microgreens at scale, while simultaneously preserving both land and water resources.

"Since the restructuring in late 2023, AeroFarms has been laser-focused on the operation of its farm in Danville, Virginia," continued Montgomery. "Our innovative engineers have worked side-by-side with produce industry veterans to unlock an economically viable business with national distribution capabilities."

The presentation will cover:

Benefits of vertical farming for food security, including reduced water usage, minimal land requirements, and year-round production capabilities regardless of climate
Economic viability of vertical farming and its potential global impact
Lessons learned from AeroFarms following the company's restructuring in September of 2023.
Under Montgomery's leadership, AeroFarms has emerged as a leader in the vertical farming industry, commanding over 70% of the U.S. retail market share for microgreens. The company's innovative approach uses 90% less water and 230x less land compared to traditional outdoor farming.

About AeroFarms
New AeroFarms, Inc. (AeroFarms) is the leading U.S. provider of microgreens, commanding over 70% of the retail market share1. As consumer demand for microgreens continues to grow, AeroFarms is creating a new produce category with products celebrated for their robust flavor, versatility, and extended shelf life. AeroFarms microgreens are highly nutritious, offering 5x to 40x the phytonutrients of their mature vegetable counterparts.2,3 Grown without pesticides, our microgreens are offered in a convenient, ready-to-eat, no-wash-required format. AeroFarms is at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, leveraging patented aeroponics technology, automated conveyance systems, robotics, and AI to cultivate healthy plants that thrive. AeroFarms uses 100% renewable energy and is climate-agnostic, growing plants year-round, regardless of geography and weather conditions. Compared to traditional outdoor farming, AeroFarms uses 90% less water and 230x less land. AeroFarms maintains high food quality standards, achieving an SQF score of 100% on its 2024 FDA audit. As a Certified B Corporation, AeroFarms is dedicated to meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance. Learn more at www.aerofarms.com.

Sources
1. Niesen IQ Latest 52 Weeks W/E 11/2/24 and internal AeroFarms calculations.
2. Assessment of Vitamin and Carotenoid Concentrations of Emerging Food Products: Edible Microgreens. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2012.
3. Mighty Microgreens. University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 2012.