Gotham Greens will produce nearly six million lettuce heads annually and will create 60 jobs in Providence, with the new greenhouse
Image: Gotham Greens newest indoor farm in Providence, Rhode Island. Photo: Courtesy of Gotham Greens and Off The Ground Drone Services.
Gotham Greens, a fresh produce and food company, has inaugurated its newest greenhouse in Providence, Rhode Island, expanding its footprint in New England region and will help the firm grow more than six million heads of lettuce annually.
The company had converted a former General Electric’s lighting factory into a 100,000ft² high-tech indoor, urban farm located along Providence’s Woonasquatucket River. The company will create nearly 60 full-time green jobs in Providence.
The new greenhouse follows the New York-based company’s expansion into the New England market enabling it to supply fresh, local produce to retail, restaurant and foodservice customers across the region, year-round.
Gotham Greens co-founder and CEO Viraj Puri said: “We’re on a mission to transform how and where fresh produce is grown. Since announcing our expansion into New England, we continue to feel inspired by the city, state and region’s legacy of manufacturing and local food culture.
“We have received tremendous support from elected officials, retailers, restaurants and our community, who love that we can provide a reliable, year-round supply of fresh and safe produce.”
Founded in 2009, Gotham Greens sells leafy greens, herbs, salad dressings and pesto dips which are available across a variety of national and local grocery retailers across New England including Whole Foods Market, Dave’s Marketplace, Shaw’s and Star Market.
Gotham Greens could operate 500,000ft² of indoor farms in the US
By the end of this year, Gotham Greens is expected to operate nearly 500,000ft² of indoor farms in five US states with more than 300 employees. At present, the company operates seven greenhouses across New York City, Chicago and Providence. It also plans to open new locations in Baltimore and Denver.
The inauguration was attended by Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.
Governor Raimondo said: “The official opening of Gotham Greens’ Providence location is an important step in our efforts to grow Rhode Island’s food economy.
“It’s critical that Rhode Islanders have access to fresh, locally-grown food all year round, especially during the cold winter months.”