Crunch Time: Planet Farms Is the First Vertically-Farmed Product Stocked by Waitrose, Available Now

Thanks to a unique, cutting edge, fully automated growing system, the leaves move from harvest to bag in under a minute. 

Also,  the carefully designed clean-room growing conditions and root-only irrigation system leads to a dry and crispy leaf with no need to wash. Eat straight from the bag, and if you listen carefully, there is a crunch you can actually hear! 

By virtue of the fact the leaves have never been touched or washed, they stay fresh and crispy in the fridge for at least 8 days. There is no chemical residue, less waste and maximum freshness. The process also offers a new benchmark in sustainable food production with 95% less water used, a 93% reduction in soil occupancy and 96% less fertiliser than in traditional agriculture. 

Currently based in Italy, this is the first time Planet Farms products are available in the UK, and a major expansion is on the way. In April 2025 Planet Farms announced an investment  in excess of £25m into a UK-based facility that will supply Waitrose directly. At 20,000 sqm of growing capacity, it will be one of the largest vertical farms in the entire world. 

Finally, flavour remains paramount and is underpinned by a partnership with the oldest three Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy; Da Vittorio. Known for their uncompromising culinary standards, the Cerea family (chefs and owners of Da Vittorio) bring challenge, innovation and a relentless pursuit of flavour via the mini-farm and R&D facility built on site to supply the restaurant in Brusaporto and to test new recipes. 

Planet Farms is a certified B Corp and has earned accolades across Europe for its commitment to quality, transparency, and planet-first thinking.

RRP £1.80 70g

Planet Farms Fresh Everleaf Delicate Mix

A delightfully sweet and irresistible blend of red and green lettuce, offering a light, airy crunch RRP £1.80 70g

Fresh Everleaf Iceberg Lettuce

Cool, crisp, and endlessly refreshing—these vibrant iceberg leaves deliver a bold crunch with every bite RRP £1.80 70g

Planet Farms Fresh Everleaf Vitality Mix

An energising mix of bold, peppery greens and red leaves—packed with character and a satisfyingly snappy texture RRP £1.80 70g

Planet Farms Fresh Everleaf Mixed Leaves

A rich, velvety medley of red and green salad leaves, layered with subtle sweetness and a complex, satisfying texture RRP £1.80 70

Daniele Benatoff, CEO and Co-Founder of Planet Farms, told That's Food and Drink:  “We hope people in the UK will love our pioneering Italian-grown salads, and experience crunchiness and freshness like never before. 

"This partnership represents our shared values of quality, sustainability, and innovation. We want to make sure that foods stay fresher on shelf, for longer, and contribute to reducing food waste. 

We believe that by combining technology with nature's wisdom, we can grow better food for everyone - delicious, fresh, and respectful of the planet.”

Planet Farms Fresh Everleaf is  available exclusively at Waitrose from now, on shelf and online. RRP £1.80

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/search?&searchTerm=Fresh%20Everleaf 

Planet Farms Fresh Everleaf is available exclusively at Waitrose.

https://www.planetfarms.ag/en 

Ro-Gro Launches Pioneering Biofortified Microgreens

In what is believed to be a first for the industry, pioneering vertical farm Ro-Gro is cultivating biofortified pea shoots with added Vitamin B12, available in Spring 2024 for retailers and the hospitality sector.

This is the fruit of a collaboration between Ro- Gro, the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute, and LettUs Grow.

The collaboration has resulted in the first pea shoots biofortified with vitamin B12 coming to market. The pea shoots grown in Ro- Gro's Kent- based vertical farm are biofortified with B12, employing special unique and groundbreaking ultrasonic technology developed by LettUs Grow.

Combing agricultural and nutritional science, this amazing development in food production is a notable step forward in developing biofortified food and it also easily demonstrates the success of combining advanced technology and farming to produce a sustainable food system in the UK.

Jason Perrot, Ro- Gro's MD and principal grower at Ro- Gro said “ We are obviously thrilled to adopt such advanced farming techniques to be more sustainable and also produce nutritional food. The B12 biofortified pea shoot is a wonderful illustration of what can happen when we work together.

Ultrasonic aeroponic technology developed by LettUs Grow uniquely enables seedlings to be nutritionally enhanced with a vitamin not usually found within plants. With aeroponics, plants are grown without soil and irrigated with a special nutrient- rich mist.

Jack Farmer, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at LettUs Grow said" It's brilliant to see this project transition over the past few years from original concept to marketable reality."

Martin Warren, Chief Scientific Officer at the Quadram Institute which jointly led the research effort said “ This marks a significant and exciting advancement in perfecting health and well- being via dietary intake of vitamin B12. ”

The pea shoots also contain vitamins A, C and K, plus being a source of fibre and protein, all of which are vital for a healthy diet. Biofortified pea shoots retain sufficient micronutrients to improve human health.

Antony Dodd, Head of Cell and Developmental Biology at the John Innes Centre who conducted research in his laboratory to deliver this technology, said “ Advances in understanding of how plants interact with their surroundings, including new horticultural technologies such as perpendicular farms that use aeroponics, provides exciting openings to produce crops that are more nutritional, with lower environmental impact."

Microgreens are becoming increasingly popular with chefs and the health-conscious population due to their concentrated flavour and antioxidants. Ro- Gro's Pea Shoots with B12 are ideal for chefs or home cooks looking to add nutrition, fineness and flavour to finished dishes.

Ro- Gro will be appearing at the IFE( International Food & Drink Event) from the 25th to 27th March at ExCeL London, you can find Ro- Gro at the Start- Up Market 571n. Ro- Gro will also be at the Farm Shop & Deli Show from 29th April to 1st May at NEC Birmingham stand P269.

Available to retailers, chefs and hospitality in spring 2024, Ro- Gro B12 Pea Shoots will be available in 60g punnets. Please communicate jason@ro-gro.uk for orders or visit ro-gro.uk for further details.