Up Vertical Farms unveils Canada’s first hands-free vertical farm

After nearly a decade of research and development, Up Vertical Farms has officially commenced operations at Canada’s first ever hands-free vertical farm in Pitt Meadows, B.C.

Up Vertical Farms aims to provide a viable locally grown solution to industry challenges, such as high food costs, climate change, labour shortages and food contamination, by employing a high density growing technology. Using recycled CO₂ and proprietary lighting technology, the leafy greens are grown to custom brix levels and flavour profiles. Additionally, Up’s greens are never touched by human hands.

“We are honoured to do our part to help Canada navigate its food security issues by providing a healthier, more sustainable local farming solution that reduces farming’s impact on the environment and Canadian consumers’ dependence on imports from the US,” said Bahram Rashti, co-founder of Up Vertical Farms. “Over the next few months, more Canadians will be able to enjoy our fresh and delicious salad greens as our distribution continues to grow across Western Canada.”

From arugula and kale to romaine and butter lettuce, Up’s ready-to-eat bagged baby leafy green salads come in a variety of blends.

Forecasting production of approximately 2 million lb or 6.3 million bags of salad greens per year, Up Vertical Farms also has the ability to fully customize packs specific to the individual needs of retailers and restaurants. The crops are grown in an automated 13 to 21-day period, so the blends can be tailored and grown instantaneously to keep pace with ongoing trends.

“We strongly believe vertical farming is essential to the future of agriculture and we’re thrilled to become a Canadian first, as the country’s only hands-free vertical farm,” added Rashti. “We are confident the expansion of our operations will only go ‘up’ from here as we strive to deliver healthier food to more Canadians across the country in a much more sustainable way.”