Key Takeaways
- 80 Acres Farms® has acquired three indoor vertical farms previously owned by Kalera, Inc., located in Georgia, Texas, and Colorado.
- The company plans to retrofit and revitalize the farms using its Infinite Acres® technology and operational expertise.
- The acquisition expands 80 Acres Farms’ national footprint, strengthening its network of local farms supplying retailers and foodservice distributors.
- The company continues its industry consolidation strategy, integrating assets into its technology platform to improve farm unit economics.
- Prior to the acquisition, 80 Acres Farms® served over 1,500 retail locations, primarily in the Midwest, and is now extending its reach to new markets.
Expanding 80 Acres Farms® Operations
80 Acres Farms® has announced the acquisition of three vertical farming facilities from Kalera, Inc., adding locations in Georgia, Texas, and Colorado. The move is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its national network of local farms and optimize underutilized infrastructure in the controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) sector.
“National retailers and foodservice distributors are seeking partners that can consistently supply high-quality products through a national network of local farms,” said Mike Zelkind, CEO and co-founder of 80 Acres Farms®. “At the same time, there has been significant capital invested in the CEA sector over the last 10 years, creating an infrastructure of underutilized assets across the country.”
By integrating acquired farms into its Infinite Acres® technology platform, the company aims to enhance efficiency and productivity while maintaining its focus on pesticide-free, fresh produce.
Leveraging Infinite Acres® Technology for Retrofitting
The acquired farms will undergo retrofitting with Infinite Acres® technology, which has been developed in collaboration with Siemens, Signify, SICK, and TTA-ISO. This approach enables the company to modernize existing farms, improving automation, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
“Vertical farming has proven an ability to deliver fresh, high-quality produce in markets that cannot support year-round field-grown operations,” said Tisha Livingston, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms® and CEO of Infinite Acres®.
The acquisition aligns with 80 Acres Farms’ long-term strategy of consolidating assets in the industry, following its recent acquisitions of Mother Raw salad dressing and Plantae Biosciences.
Strengthening Supply Chain and Market Reach
Prior to the acquisition, 80 Acres Farms® supplied more than 1,500 retail locations, primarily in the Midwest. The newly acquired farms will enable further expansion into new markets, complementing the company’s existing large-scale commercial farms in Ohio and Kentucky.
The company produces a variety of leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and tomatoes, and recently expanded its Kentucky farm, nearly doubling its capacity. 80 Acres Farms® also operates R&D and advanced plant genetics facilities in Arkansas, the Netherlands, and Israel.
“I could not be more pleased to have found the perfect fit for Kalera in 80 Acres Farms®,” said Kalera CEO Jim Leighton. “They not only have the technical knowledge to successfully operate vertical farms, but they also have extensive food and produce experience.”
Looking Ahead: Optimizing 80 Acres Farms® Vertical Farming Assets
With the addition of three new farms, 80 Acres Farms® is continuing its capital-efficient approach to expanding vertical farming operations. The company aims to integrate best practices from acquired facilities while leveraging its proven technology platform to enhance farm economics and operational efficiency.
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