Edible Garden: Michigan greenhouse to be up and running in early 2023

Belvidere-based Edible Garden expects its new, 5-acre greenhouse facility in Grand Rapids, Mich., to be fully operational in early 2023.

In a Dec. 15 press release, the hydroponic farming company said it completed the phase one buildout of Edible Garden Heartland ahead of schedule and has begun the process of seeking certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility.

Jim Kras, Edible Garden chief executive officer, said the company anticipates receiving federal approval sometime next month.

“In addition, we are completing the installation of our cooling and cold storage systems in the facility, as we prepare to ramp up our production in the coming months. In phase two of the buildout, which is expected to commence in January 2023, the company will be installing a state-of-the-art seeding machine and deploying our hybrid vertical grow system within the facility,” Kras explained.

“These additions are designed to increase the facility’s production capabilities, as well as expand Edible Garden’s gross profit margins,” said Kras, who has said the site could support up to $20 million in annualized revenue.

Kras said Edible Garden has also tapped into a new, additional revenue stream in Michigan.

“When we purchased the facility, there was an existing, legacy floral business that came with it. We recently commenced shipping the poinsettias grown at Edible Garden Heartland in time for the holiday season,” he said.

Founded in 2015, the company’s locally grown, sustainable lettuce, organic herbs, hydro basil, salad kits and protein powders can be found at more than 4,000 stores, including ShopRite, Weis Markets, Meijer, King Kullen, Gristedes and D’Agostino.