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UK vertical farming company Jones Food Company has launched a new British salad range brand, Homegrown. Homegrown’s new range – comprising of three salad bags – has launched in Asda supermarkets, which the company says makes it the first British retailer supplying a vertically farmed bagged salad range at this kind of scale. The range includes three SKUs, Mixed Salad, Rocket and Hot & Peppery Cress. James Lloyd-Jones, CEO of Homegrown’s owner, Jones Food Company, said: “We are thrilled to be able to launch Homegrown with Asda. They, like us, understand that growing produce vertically can have significant sustainability benefits. All of our salad is entirely British grown which results in fewer food-miles than salad flown in from around the world, is grown using only renewable energy and uses 90% less water than plants, which have been more traditionally produced. We can harvest our crops in one day and deliver into supermarket depots the next, so the freshness is guaranteed.”

Dom Edwards, Asda produce director, added: “We’re delighted to be the first British retailer supplying a vertically farmed bagged salad range at this kind of scale, enabling customers to buy nationally and online. As well as clear sustainability benefits, the salad leaves aren’t subject to adverse weather – resulting in better availability and more consistent quality for our customers.” The new vertically farmed salad bags are available to purchase now in Asda stores nationwide.