GoodLeaf Farms has planted the first test crops at its new facility in Calgary, Alta. with full production in Western Canada expected to start in late fall, a Sept. 13 news release said.
“This is a significant milestone for GoodLeaf Farms as we work to establish a truly national footprint of indoor vertical farms that provide fresh leafy greens that are typically imported to Canada,” Barry Murchie, president and CEO of GoodLeaf Farms, said in the release. “As import replacement products, the foods we are providing are critical to our food security and sovereignty. We are excited to begin ramping up production in Calgary to serve markets in Western Canada.”
Construction on the 96,000-square-foot indoor vertical farm facility is almost finished, the release said. The crops of the microgreens and baby greens that were planted will be grown and harvested in Calgary for retail stores and the food service sector in Western Canada. These crops were planted to ensure all of the equipment and infrastructure is working as intended. Once fully operational, GoodLeaf’s Calgary farm will produce more than two million pounds of fresh, local leafy greens each year — with an expected 40 annual harvests of microgreens and 20 annual harvests of baby greens.
The release noted GoodLeaf Farms grows Micro Radish, Micro Arugula, Micro Broccoli, Micro Asian Blend, Pea Shoots, Spicy Mustard Medley, Baby Spinach, Baby Arugula, Crisp Lettuce and Spring Mix and a variety of blends. The Calgary farm, located in an industrial park on 108 Avenue SE, is GoodLeaf’s second Canadian location after its flagship commercial-scale farm in Guelph, Ont. A third farm is being built in the Montreal, Que. area with an expected opening in 2024.
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