The world’s biggest fresh berry company is coming indoors.
Driscoll’s, which claims to control about a third of the U.S. berry market, has announced a partnership with About Plenty, a farm technology company that specializes in indoor agriculture. Under a joint development agreement, About Plenty will grow Driscoll’s strawberries in its vertical indoor farms, beginning with About Plenty’s headquarters and R&D center in Laramie, Wyo.
The partnership is aimed at extending the reach of Driscoll’s strawberries and other fresh berries. Indoor farming has the potential to bring fresh berries to regions with unfavorable growing conditions.
“The indoor environment will remove the unpredictability of Mother Nature, allowing both companies to meet the future needs of consumers worldwide, including geographical locations that are not hospitable to growing strawberries,” the companies said in a joint statement.
The two companies were introduced through John Hartnett, CEO of SVG Ventures, an investment firm that focuses on agriculture and technology. Driscoll’s reportedly also has made a substantial investment in About Plenty.
“As one of the few berry companies with a dedicated global R&D program, we believe our proprietary berries, which are focused on flavor, combined with Plenty’s technology leadership will create a competitive market edge as we expand to more effectively meet the future consumer,” said J. Miles Reiter, Driscoll’s chairman and CEO.
