HAMILTON, MT - Local Bounti last came across our radars when it was announced it acquired Pete’s. Now, the indoor agriculture company revealed another type of expansion in the works, a new facility. The company announced the commencement of farming operations at its new innovative controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility in Byron, Georgia.

“We are cementing our presence in the East Coast market with our new Georgia facility, providing Local Bounti with a bi-coastal presence that is able to service the growing demand for our products,” said Craig Hurlbert, Co-Chief Executive Officer. “Local Bounti is quickly becoming one of the largest CEA companies in America. We have seen strong demand for our superior produce varieties that are grown sustainability with sunlight, use 90 percent less water and land, and last three to five times longer in your fridge than traditionally-grown leafy greens.”

With this new facility in place in central Georgia, Local Bounti can now directly service 19 retail distribution centers within an approximate 400-mile radius. The East Coast presence enhances service to the company’s customers and the approximately 10,000 retail locations that it operates across 35 United States regions and Canadian provinces.

The Georgia facility will also provide additional capacity to meet existing demand from the company’s direct relationships with blue-chip retail customers including Albertsons, Kroger, Target, and Walmart, as well as Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh, noted a release.

Additionally, Local Bounti’s carefully controlled greenhouses offer consumers peace of mind when it comes to food safety.

“Because our products are grown in safe, controlled greenhouses, consumers don’t have to worry about rain and soil runoff contaminants or wildlife coming up to nibble on our products,” said Brian Cook, President. “We are keeping out what is bad and keeping in what is good.”

To maintain quality and standards, Local Bounti plans to install its innovative Stack & Flow Technology™ at all of its facilities and is in the process of initial planning to install Stack & Flow at its Georgia facility to further expand revenue-generating capacity. Stack & Flow Technology combines the best aspects of vertical farming and greenhouse growing technologies to deliver higher yields of diverse leafy greens with superior unit economics.

Expansion plans for the 3-acre facility are already underway, which will double capacity to 6 acres with the opportunity to expand to 24 acres to execute growth initiatives and broaden its product offering. Local Bounti will initially utilize the three-acre facility to grow and sell Local Bounti's greenhouse fresh line of packaged salad greens. These include spring mix, butter lettuce, Romaine crisp, green leaf, and other blends.

With such a momentous occasion in the works, the company is also planning for a grand opening celebration on August 3, 2022, which will be open to the public. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the greenhouses, sample dishes created with Local Bounti lettuces, and meet company executives and staff.

“Just like meeting any local farmer responsible for the fresh, leafy greens you put on your table, we want Georgians to get to know us and our company and have a chance to see how our lettuces are grown,” said Cook. “We are excited by the new opportunities that await Local Bounti as part of our expansion in Georgia.”

Exciting times are ahead! Keep an eye out for ANUK to report on the latest.

Local Bounti