Key Takeaways
- BrightFarms has started shipping from its new 1.5-million-square-foot greenhouse in Macon, Georgia, expanding access to locally grown produce.
- This marks BrightFarms’ third new facility in six months, following openings in Lorena, Texas, and Yorkville, Illinois.
- The greenhouse will create over 250 jobs in the Macon community, offering competitive benefits from day one.
- BrightFarms’ hydroponic farms use advanced automation to ensure year-round optimal growing conditions.
- Cox Enterprises, BrightFarms’ parent company, is using the Macon greenhouse as a training center to support the future of indoor agriculture.
BrightFarms Begins Shipping from Macon Greenhouse, Strengthening Local Food Supply
BrightFarms (Profile) has begun shipping from its newest greenhouse in Macon, Georgia, marking a significant expansion in the company’s ability to deliver fresh, pesticide-free leafy greens to consumers. The facility, which will eventually cover 1.5 million square feet, is Georgia’s most advanced greenhouse, designed to serve the Southeast’s growing demand for locally grown produce.
“We’re thrilled to have started shipping from our first greenhouse in Georgia, expanding access to our pesticide-free leafy greens across the country,” said Abby Prior, Chief Commercial Officer of BrightFarms. “The Southeast is one of the fastest-growing markets for indoor-grown greens, and this facility allows us to meet rising demand with high-quality, locally grown produce. We’re also proud to be part of the Georgia Grown program, supporting local agriculture and contributing to the state’s economy.”
Once fully operational, the Macon greenhouse will create over 250 jobs and enhance regional food security by delivering fresh greens within 24 hours of harvest.
BrightFarms Expands Greenhouse Network to Serve More Consumers
The Macon greenhouse is part of BrightFarms’ rapid expansion strategy, which includes:
- Opening three high-tech greenhouse hubs in six months (Texas, Illinois, and Georgia).
- Serving two-thirds of the U.S. population with fresh, locally grown greens.
- Enhancing efficiency with automation, ensuring year-round production with minimal environmental impact.
BrightFarms has also announced plans to suspend operations at its early-stage facilities in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Rochelle, Illinois, and Hendersonville, North Carolina as it shifts its focus to larger, more efficient greenhouses.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have BrightFarms join our community here in Macon,” said Macon Mayor Lester Miller. “This is a big win for our local economy and a step forward in supporting the health of our residents today and for generations to come.”
BrightFarms’ Macon Greenhouse Supports Sustainable Agriculture and Workforce Development
The Macon greenhouse is also home to the first-ever Cox Farms Discovery Center, an educational hub focused on:
- Training future agricultural workers in high-tech indoor farming.
- Supporting retailers with insights into sustainable food production.
- Advancing BrightFarms’ mission of making fresh produce more accessible.
“Through Cox Enterprises, we’ve been proud to call Georgia home since 1939,” said Steve Bradley, President of Cox Farms. “With our new Macon greenhouse, we’re bringing the promise of fresh food to our home state, supporting the future of agriculture, workforce development, and community growth.”
Additionally, BrightFarms’ parent company, Cox Enterprises, has partnered with Feeding America to tackle food insecurity. Through this initiative, fresh produce from BrightFarms’ greenhouses will be distributed to food banks across the U.S. and Canada, including local organizations like the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.
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