US Foods forms vertical farming partnership

ROSEMONT - US Foods Holding Corp. Wednesday announced a strategic agreement with Kalera, one of the world's leading hydroponic indoor vertical farming companies.

This deal will bring consistent, year-round availability of high-quality leafy greens to customers and is US Foods' largest vertical farming relationship to date, the company said.

The agreement will expand the portfolio of local farms US Foods is sourcing from in various markets in support of its growing Serve Local program. As part of the agreement, Kalera and its wholly owned seed technology business, Vindara, will work closely with US Foods to develop and launch new products to US Foods customers in markets across the country.

Kalera grows produce through its network of controlled environment, indoor farms. The indoor farms use clean room technology, advanced proprietary equipment and plant and seed science to provide a wide range of high-quality greens, such as whole head lettuce, salad mix blends, microgreens, burger leaf toppers and arugula, using less water as compared to traditional field farming.

"Our agreement with Kalera will fundamentally change the manner in which vertical farmed products are made available to restaurants and other food service operators across our footprint," said Josh Waters, senior vice president of produce category management for US Foods.