Wendy's Seeks to Broaden Greenhouse Lettuce Network; Liliana Esposito Details
DUBLIN, OH - Wendy’s is calling out to the greenhouse sector as it seeks to shift more of its United States lettuce supply to greenhouse-grown.
“We are seeing more extreme weather events,” said Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer Liliana Esposito. “It’s really about supply assurance, that you can create a more stable, less volatile supply.”
BNN Bloomberg reported that the foodservice operator is looking for new lettuce growers to diversify its supplier base. Wendy’s already serves tomatoes from hydroponic greenhouses in North America, and the company has also shifted its Canadian lettuce supply indoors in the past several years.
This recently announced shift is in response to climate change and weather that’s hurt the crop’s quality and availability, the source noted. Esposito stated that crops grown outdoors have recently experienced more weather-related disruptions, including California wildfires impacting the lettuce category due to ash. Other concerns include sufficient water access and extreme temperatures.
As the operator grows its supply-side network to ensure a stable, top-quality supply, ANUK will be here to report on the latest foodservice strategies and more.
