AeroFarms

AeroFarms is a sustainable indoor agriculture company based in Newark, New Jersey[1] and uses a patented aeroponic growing system to grow produce. The company currently owns and operates four farming facilities in and around Newark.

AeroFarms
IndustryAgriculture
Founded2004 (2004) in Finger Lakes, New York, U.S.
Founder
Headquarters
Newark, New Jersey
,
U.S.
ProductsAeroponic technology
Websiteaerofarms.com Edit this on Wikidata

History
Guy Blanchard (right) CFO of AeroFarms

AeroFarms began in 2004 in the Finger Lakes area of New York. In 2015, the company relocated its headquarters to Newark, New Jersey. The company was co-founded by CEO David Rosenberg,[2] CMO Marc Oshima, and CSO (chief scientific officer) Edward Harwood.[3]

In 2015, AeroFarms started a growing space in a 30,000 square-foot former paintball and laser tag arena in Newark.[4]

In September 2016, the AeroFarms Global Headquarters opened in a 70,000 square-foot facility in Newark, which is the largest indoor vertical farm in the world based on annual growing capacity.[5] The farm was built in a 75-year-old former steel mill facility and has the capacity to produce up to two million pounds of leafy greens per year.[6]

AeroFarms also has a functioning farm in the dining hall of the Phillips Academy Charter School in Newark.[7] This 50-square-foot farm opened in September 2011.[8][9]

On June 8, 2023, AeroFarms filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[10]

Product
AeroFarm

AeroFarms uses aeroponic technology in their farms. Unlike hydroponics, aeroponics utilizes a closed loop system to mist the roots of the greens with nutrients, water, and oxygen. The growing cloth medium is made out of BPA-free, post-consumer recycled plastic. The cloth can be fully sanitized after harvest and then reseeded with no risk of contamination. Acting as a barrier between the mist and the plants, the cloth allows for a clean, dry and ready to eat product.[11] LED lights are engineered to have specific spectrum, intensity, and frequency which controls the physical and flavor components of the produce.[12] The controlled indoor environment disrupts the normal cycle of indoor pests. This pest resistant design does away with the need for pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.[13]

References
  1. McKay, Betsy; Anselm, Bryan (2017-05-15). "A Farm Grows in the City". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  2. "Events". Agri Investor. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  3. Rothman, Lauren (2015-03-24). "The World's Largest Indoor Vertical Farm Is Coming to New Jersey". Vice (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  4. Zucker, Jason (November 7, 2016). "A converted laser tag arena doesn't need sun or soil and it's the future of urban farming". Circa.
  5. Zuppello, Suzanne (April 26, 2016). "The World's Largest Vertical Farm Is in Newark". Edible Manhattan.
  6. Staff, Fast Company (2017-04-17). "Announcing The United States Of Innovation 2017". Fast Company. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  7. ecoveggies (18 April 2013). "EcoVeggies and ECOSpaces at St. Philips Academy | EcoVeggies". Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  8. Bereznak, Alyssa (2017-04-11). "Buying the Farm". The Ringer. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  9. Andaiye Taylor. "First Lady's visit highlights Newark school's innovative food program – Brick City Live". Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  10. "AeroFarms files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection". Produce Blue Book. June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  11. Alexander C. Kaufman (2016-04-26). "Inside The High-Tech Farm Growing Kale In An Old Paintball Arena". HuffPost. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  12. Spanne, Autumn. "Will There Be Enough Food?". Ideas & Insights. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  13. Garfield, Leanna. "Inside the world's largest vertical farm, where plants stack 30 feet high". Business Insider. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
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