Since the Midwest’s growing season is relatively short—about three months—imports are essential to keep up with demand for fresh, high-quality produce, including organic items. “Organic imports extend the seasons, ensuring they’re available 52 weeks per year,” states Scaman.
“For millennials, organics are mainstream commodities,” he explains. “They’re the first generation of consumers to have organics their whole lives. For them, organics are the rule and conventional is the exception.”
Area Greenhouses
In and around Chicago, greenhouses are making it possible for more produce to be truly local. Last November, Brooklyn-based Gotham Greens opened a new two-acre greenhouse in the Pullman area on Chicago’s South Side.
According to the company, the new facility is expected to grow nearly 10 million romaine lettuce, kale, and basil plants this year. The premium-quality, pesticide- free leafy greens and herbs are destined for retailers, restaurants, and institutions throughout the Chicagoland area. The Pullman greenhouse’s yields are projected to equal those of over 50 acres of conventional field production.
BrightFarms, Inc., also located in New York, builds and operates greenhouses near supermarkets to produce ‘local’ produce, slashing the time and distance commodities will travel from farm to destination. In partnership with local Mariano’s (a division of Wisconsin-based Roundy’s Supermarkets), BrightFarms will grow and deliver fresh produce to the regional chain’s stores. Located in Rochelle, about 80 miles west of Chicago, the BrightFarms greenhouse will supply leafy greens and herbs for Mariano’s private label.
The mission of grower FarmedHere, located in Bedford Park (a suburb about 30 miles southwest of Chicago), is to supply a full line of branded fresh organic greens and herbs within 24 hours of harvest and make them accessible to everyone—restaurants, stores, specialty shops, and consumers too.
Wholesaler Impact
If urban greenhouses are a trend and a few becomes many, will it impact Chicago’s wholesale distribution network? Pappas says Coosemans Worldwide has been a niche dealer of fresh herbs and specialty greens for years, “but we deal mostly with individual units or small chains. The large greenhouses like Gotham Greens sell primarily to large chains, so they don’t really affect our business.”
