LONDON – Whole Foods Market is installing vertical farms at the retailer’s seven London stores in a partnership with Infarm, an urban farming network. The vertical farms provide a flexible supply as needed, allowing shoppers to always have access to fresh produce, according to the company.  

"We are excited to partner with Infarm to offer a truly hyper-local selection of greens and herbs across all of our London stores,” said Jade Hoai, director of purchasing and operations at Whole Foods. “Whole Foods Market customers can expect to find fresh, unique herbs from Infarm's vertical growing units like Bordeaux purple basil, that are grown locally, have no pesticides, and use a fraction of the traditional resources required to grow. We are excited about this relationship for its joint commitment to environmental stewardship and for the delicious, nutritious meals our customers will be crafting at home." 

The partnership between Infarm and Whole Foods Market aims to satisfy increasing consumer demand for sustainably grown products, helping customers to make healthy choices and reduce their food waste. 

Infarm units use 95% less water and 90% less transport than traditional agriculture, as well as 75% less fertilizer and no pesticides. Measuring just 2 square meters, Infarm's instore farms produce more than 8,000 plants per year.