Freight Farms and Sodexo bring vertical farming to universities

Freight Farms will install its Greenery container farms at universities and schools across the US through a collaboration with Sodexo.

The partnership will enable the on-site growth of fresh, traceable produce year-round that’s pesticide- and herbicide-free and sourced with zero food miles.

According to Freight Farms, the 320-square-foot Greenery hydroponic container farms “use 99.8% less water” than traditional agriculture.

Freight Farms said that as awareness of key issues in food safety, health and wellness, and environmental sustainability continue to rise with increased urgency, the strategic partnership reflects its and Sodexo’s vision to enable change in food sourcing for educational and corporate institutions.

“Students, institutions and corporate businesses want healthy, safe and delicious food, and they want it sourced as sustainably as possible. Sodexo is proud to use and support the latest agricultural technology to create meaningful food system change, said Kenny Lipsman, director of produce category for Sodexo.

“Our partnership with Freight Farms allows us to grow nutritious, superior-quality food on-site for our clients, just steps from the kitchens and serveries.”

Freight Farms customers are located in 25 countries and 44 US states, and range from small business farmers to corporate, hospitality, retail, education and non-profit sectors. To date, 35 educational and corporate campuses use the company’s technology.

Brad McNamara, co-founder and CEO of Freight Farms, added: “Sodexo’s commitment to offer on-site food production to its customers helps accelerate food system decentralisation – leading the charge for better sourcing practices at an institutional level.

“Sodexo’s adoption of Freight Farms on-site programming will demonstrate to their customers and client communities the positive impact hyper-local food production can have on priorities from nutrition and food safety to emissions reduction.”