M&S has launched vertically farmed salads, made with 96% less water, no pesticides and claimed to last five days longer than traditionally grown options.
The retailer landed three vertically farmed salads in stores last week – Citrus Sorrel Baby Leaves (£2.30/80g), Spicy Baby Leaves (£2.30/80g) and Baby Garlic Kale (£2.25/80g) – grown using advanced robotics and UV lights.
The method means leaves can be picked at the ‘perfect’ moment without any contact with human hands from seeding to harvest, according to M&S.
Water and nutrients are delivered directly to the roots, resulting in around 97% less fertiliser use than conventional field-grown salads, according to the retailer. Leaves are packed within 60 seconds of harvesting, helping them stay fresher for longer.
Temperature, light and water are carefully optimised to create consistent growing conditions year round, and a growing substrate is used instead of soil. The absence of pesticides means the salads require no washing before consumption.
The innovation is part of M&S’s ‘Plan A for Farming’ sustainability programme.
“The future of food is about finding new and innovative methods which put less pressure on the environment while delivering the best in market flavour and quality,” said M&S Food technical director Andrew Clappen.
“These Collection salads are vertically grown exclusively for M&S and bring new flavours to our customers with a dramatically reduced water consumption – supporting our Plan A goal to reach net zero by 2040 across our supply chain.”
Daniele Benatoff, co-founder & CEO of vertical farm operator Planet Farms, said: “Today marks a major milestone for Planet Farms and for the future of fresh produce in the UK and Ireland. After years of close collaboration and joint development with M&S, we are incredibly proud to launch four M&S own-label products nationwide and deliver the UK’s first own-label vertically farmed salad range.
“This achievement reflects the uncompromising approach to quality and innovation and the passion for exceptional produce that brought Planet Farms and M&S together in the first place. We are excited to bring these new products to customers across the country.”
Waitrose launched four vertically farmed salads from Planet Farms in May last year, the same month the Italian agritech company announced it was investing £25m in a new UK facility at an undisclosed location north of London.
Last week, M&S began construction of a £340m, 1.3 million sq ft automated food depot at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal in Northamptonshire.
No comments yet