Edible Garden News: Receives USDA Grant

Edible Garden Receives USDA Grant (2023/08/16)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated has been granted financial assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic Certification Program. This grant, administered by the Farm Service Agency, is aimed explicitly at reimbursing organic producers and handlers for some of the expenses associated with obtaining organic certification.

Edible Garden AG Incorporated has long been at the forefront of revolutionizing the agricultural industry through its innovative approach to controlled environment agriculture. Their emphasis on locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce has positioned them as a leader in the field. The company’s latest achievement – securing a grant from the USDA’s Organic Certification Program – demonstrates its unwavering dedication to sustainable practices and its commitment to the principles of organic farming.

Organic certification is a rigorous process that involves adhering to stringent guidelines and regulations by certifying bodies. It guarantees that the produce is cultivated and processed using methods that prioritize environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and animal welfare. By obtaining organic certification, Edible Garden not only solidifies its commitment to these principles but also provides consumers with the assurance that the products they consume align with their values.

One of the significant challenges organic producers often face is the financial burden of obtaining and maintaining organic certification. The costs can be substantial, particularly for more extensive operations. The grant received by Edible Garden through the USDA Organic Certification Program directly addresses this issue. By providing financial assistance to offset certification expenses, the USDA is enabling more producers to adopt organic practices, furthering the growth of the organic sector and enhancing the availability of organic products in the market.

This grant is not the first collaboration between Edible Garden and the USDA. The company is actively involved in research partnerships with esteemed institutions such as the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Currently, they are engaged in a study focused on the impact of nanobubble technology on fresh produce food safety and processing procedures. This research underscores Edible Garden’s commitment to driving innovation in sustainable agriculture and food safety.

Edible Garden Introduces New Division: EG Direct (2023/08/12)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated, a frontrunner in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) known for its locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce, has unveiled EG Direct. This fresh division under Edible Garden’s umbrella aims to source, and supply partner produce to the company’s extensive retail distribution network.

CEO Mr. Jim Kras expressed his enthusiasm about the launch, highlighting Edible Garden’s consistent edge over competitors. The company’s impressive order fulfillment rates consistently outdo industry standards and underscore its dedication to providing top-notch service. With over 4,000 retail locations in its distribution network, Edible Garden has cemented its reputation as a dependable produce provider. Kras envisions EG Direct as a means to further capitalize on their robust retail relationships, introducing new revenue avenues by distributing popular produce items like broccoli, carrots, and potatoes.

Furthermore, the company plans to integrate its cutting-edge GreenThumb 2.0 greenhouse management system into EG Direct’s operations. Given the company’s well-established infrastructure, this integration is anticipated to significantly bolster both the revenue and profit margins for Edible Garden.

Unveils Greenthumb 2.0 (2023/07/20)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW), has announced the launch of GreenThumb 2.0. This advanced version of the Company’s proprietary, cloud-based greenhouse management and demand planning system provides an enhanced ability to manage goods throughout the supply chain.

Edible Garden’s CEO, Jim Kras, remarked, “I am delighted to announce the introduction of GreenThumb 2.0, the upgraded version of our pioneering greenhouse management system. This advanced system substantially improves our dynamic forecasting abilities by optimally utilizing real-time data. It is designed to predict the needs of our distribution partners better and refine our growing plans accordingly, considering year-on-year trends, sales velocity, and seasonal fluctuations. Furthermore, an upgraded purchase order screen allows seamless integration and consolidation of all purchase order data from Oracle’s Netsuite platform, eliminating the need for manual data entry.”

GreenThumb 2.0 incorporates a real-time inventory system that closely monitors all raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products. This enhancement enables Edible Garden to scrutinize costs down to the smallest detail for each component involved in plant growth. Kras believes that this level of detail will prove vital in managing expenses.

Scott Prendergast, Chief Data Officer at Edible Garden, commented on the system’s benefits: “Incorporating real-time data and closing the production cycle loop allows us to optimize our processes and identify cost-saving opportunities. The dynamic forecasting and purchase order data aggregation features have saved us countless manhours and provided transparent, real-time access to data for all departments. This brings us a step closer to a fully self-learning system capable of dynamically optimizing the forecasting algorithm based on historical accuracy, identifying cost of goods sold fluctuations in real-time, and making necessary adjustments.”

This latest announcement highlights Edible Garden’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of agricultural technology, creating innovative solutions that optimize operations while reducing environmental impact.

Edible Garden Expands Distribution Alliance With Walmart (2023/07/21)

In a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture and locally grown produce, Edible Garden AG Incorporated (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW) announced a significant expansion of its distribution alliance with Walmart. Edible Garden, a renowned leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and organic, sustainable products, has established itself as a prominent supplier of leafy greens and herbs in the United States. The new initiative aims to provide a more comprehensive selection of Edible Garden’s sustainably grown produce across Walmart locations in the Northeast and East South Central regions from its facility.

The expansion marks a crucial milestone in the Company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable farming and reducing its environmental impact. Jim Kras, the Chief Executive Officer of Edible Garden, expressed enthusiasm about the alliance’s growth, stating, “We are pleased to announce the expansion of our relationship with Walmart to provide a wider variety of Edible Garden’s sustainably grown produce in their Northeast locations, as well as initiating distribution in their East South Central U.S. retail stores.”

One of the key factors that set Edible Garden apart is its active participation in Walmart’s Project Gigaton, a far-reaching initiative launched in 2017. The project aims to engage suppliers, NGOs, and other stakeholders in reducing or avoiding one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases in the global value chain by 2030. Edible Garden’s commitment to sustainability and its efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions have earned the Company recognition as a Project Gigaton “Giga Guru.” This recognition reflects Edible Garden’s unwavering dedication to its Zero-Waste Inspired® mission and its leadership in the CEA sector.

Furthermore, the Company’s exceptional performance in fulfilling orders during the 2022 holiday season demonstrated its reliability and ability to exceed industry averages despite supply chain challenges. This success has fostered a strong and trusting relationship with Walmart and has positioned Edible Garden as a dependable supplier of sustainably grown produce.

Edible Garden’s proprietary GreenThumb 2.0 software plays a significant role in optimizing growing conditions in both vertical and traditional greenhouses, with the added goal of reducing pollution-generating food miles. By leveraging technology and sustainable packaging practices, Edible Garden is disrupting the CEA and sustainability technology movement and making strides toward environmentally conscious farming practices.

Edible Garden Promotes David Ross to VP of Sales and Marketing (2023/06/30)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated (NASDAQ: EDBL) announced the promotion of David Ross to the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing. This promotion comes after Mr. Ross successfully served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the company.

Before joining the company, David Ross was a Senior Category Manager at Wakefern/Shoprite, where he played a crucial role in purchasing decisions and private label product development initiatives. He effectively managed the dairy and frozen categories during his tenure. Before his time at Wakefern/Shoprite, Ross worked as a Trade Marketing Manager at Church and Dwight, as well as a Regional Merchandising Manager at W.M. Bolthouse Farms. Ross brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.

Edible Garden AG Secures Grant Funding to Boost Food Safety Training (2023/06/23)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW) announced today that it had received grant funding from West Michigan Works! and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Specialty Crop Block Program.

The awarded funds are allocated explicitly to recompense Western Michigan employers for costs associated with leadership and food safety training initiatives. The Specialty Crop, Block Grant Program, is designed to improve the competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture, by providing grants to organizations that exhibit potential impacts and quantifiable results for the industry or public.

Jim Kras, Chief Executive Officer of Edible Garden (NASDAQ: EDBL), expressed satisfaction with the company’s successful grant application. “These grants will bolster the company’s ongoing commitment to food safety. They will facilitate training opportunities for our employees at the Edible Garden Heartland facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in crucial areas like Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) training, and Good Agricultural Practices Training,” Kras explained.

Edible Garden Extends Distribution with King Kullen & IGA Across Long Island (2023/06/02)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW) announced today a significant expansion of its distribution partnership with King Kullen and IGA across all their retail locations in Long Island, New York.

Jim Kras, Chief Executive Officer of Edible Garden, expressed his delight about the expanded distribution deal. “We’re excited to enhance our distribution footprint across both King Kullen and IGA retail stores throughout Long Island, New York, in time for the summer season 2023,” he said. Kras highlighted the rising consumer demand for fresh, sustainably grown produce and herbs, a niche Edible Garden has successfully filled. In response, King Kullen and IGA have doubled the allocated shelf space for Edible Garden’s products.

The summer season traditionally sees a surge of vacationers, many from the NY metropolitan area, flocking to the eastern end of Long Island, famous for its picturesque coastline and beaches. A significant number of these vacationers are loyal year-round Edible Garden customers. Yet, in previous years, they found it challenging to find the fresh, sustainably grown produce they are accustomed to purchasing. King Kullen and IGA are poised to meet this burgeoning consumer demand by increasing the company’s products’ shelf space.

Edible Garden AG Announces the Launch of Garden Starters in Retail Locations Across Midwest and Northeast (2023/05/18)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW) announced the launch of its innovative product line, Garden Starters. The Garden Starters line features potted herbs and basil bowls designed for planting in home gardens, which will be available at all Meijer retail locations throughout the Midwest and Wakefern/Shoprite retail locations across the Northeast.

CEO of Edible Garden, Jim Kras, expressed excitement about the expanded distribution of Garden Starters, explaining that the initiative first took root at Meijer retail outlets in the Midwest in response to escalating consumer interest. In addition, the product line’s launch came just before Mother’s Day, a timely move given that the period between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day is traditionally considered the prime time for consumers to plant their gardens.

“The move responded to the increasing interest in our potted herbs and their suitability for home gardens. It’s worth noting that 35% of American households grow some of their food. As such, Edible Garden’s sustainably produced herbs and products have become popular among consumers looking to enhance their food flavor,” said Kras. “Garden Starters enables these consumers to buy Edible Garden potted herbs for their home gardens. In addition, we’ve positioned these potted herbs with our cut herbs and sustainably grown produce in the same supermarket section for customer convenience.”

EDBL Q1 2023: Slight Revenue Decline & Strategic Shifts (2023/05/16)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW) announced its financial results for Q1 2023, ending March 31, 2023.

The report indicates a slight decline in the Company’s revenue for the quarter compared to the same period in 2022. CEO Jim Kras attributes this decrease to shifting several large orders to Q2 and a strategic decision to reallocate resources to foster more profitable customer relationships. Despite the dip in revenue, the Company reported an improved gross profit for the quarter, signaling the effectiveness of its strategic redirection.

Edible Garden is set to enhance profitability by introducing its newest facility, Edible Garden Heartland, which launched in April 2023. In addition, the Company anticipates reduced reliance on third-party contract growers, thereby driving profitability through the vertical integration of its Midwest operations.

Kras further detailed the Company’s diversification into higher-margin products, such as the Pulp® line of sustainable gourmet sauces and chili-based products acquired recently. The new products in Whole Foods Market’s Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern retail sites from summer 2023 are expected to boost margins and leverage Edible Garden’s growing brand awareness.

The Company expanded its distribution network in 2023, adding new retail partners like Whole Foods Market and Morton Williams Supermarkets. In addition, Edible Garden has deepened its market penetration with Gristedes and D’Agostino supermarkets, broadening its product offerings across various Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Westchester locations.

Ships Spring Ornamentals From Michigan Facility (2023/05/03)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated has announced the start of shipping spring ornamentals from its new facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The ornamentals include petunias, geraniums, impatiens, begonias, dahlias, and other accent plants, grown using Edible Garden’s proprietary technologies. The move will expand the company’s ornamental business in the Midwest and increase its customer base. Edible Garden’s focus on sustainability and innovation has positioned the company to take advantage of the increasing demand for locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce and products.

Edible Garden Company known for its controlled environment agriculture (CEA), locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce and products, has announced the commencement of the shipment of spring ornamentals. The ornamentals are grown in the company’s new Edible Garden Heartland facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The facility was acquired last year and has been equipped with Edible Garden’s proprietary technologies, such as the GreenThumb greenhouse management system, to enhance supply chain efficiency and maximize the available assets of the company.

Edible Garden Launches Grand Rapids, Michigan Facility (2023/04/18)

Edible Garden AG Incorporated has announced the launch of Edible Garden Heartland, a multifaceted AgTech facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company is a leader in controlled environment agriculture, providing locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce and products. The launch of this new facility holds excellent potential for positively impacting the company’s margins and advancing them toward their goal of turning cash flow positive later this year.

The new facility’s expanded growing capacity is one of its main advantages. Consequently, the company can bring products previously contracted out to outside companies in-house, boosting its profit margins. Additionally, the facility can manage annual revenue of up to $20 million.

Appoints Pamela DonAroma to Board of Directors (2023/04/11)

Reports on Sustainability Initiatives with Walmart’s Project Gigaton (2023/04/06)

Heartland Facility Obtains USDA Organic and PrimusGFS Certifications (2023/03/30)

Reports Revenue Growth But Miss On EPS (2023/03/23)

Latest Sauce Soon Available In Whole Foods (2023/03/09)

EDBL Regains Compliance (2023/02/16)

Edible Garden and Partners Study Nanobubble Technology (2023/02/10)

Closes $10.2M Underwritten Public Offering (2023/02/09)

EDBL Unveils a $10M Underwritten Public Offering (2023/02/03)

Perform a Reverse Stock Split (2023/01/25)

Morton Williams To Distribute Edible Garden’s Produce (2023/01/24)

Achieves Above-Industry Order Fulfillment Rates (2023/01/12)

Heartland Facility Ahead Of Schedule (2022/12/15)

Gristedes and D’Agostino Supermarkets To Distribute Edible Garden Products’ (2022/12/07)

New Retailers Now Sell Edible Garden’s Special “Poultry Mix” Potted Herbs (2022/11/17)

Acquires Pulp Flavors to Expand Presence in Sustainable Gourmet Sauces (2022/11/15)

EDBL Reports Q3 Results Showing Improved Performance (2022/11/11)

EDBL Received a De-Listing Notice (2022/10/24)

Expands Product Portfolio To Be Launched at Meijer Locations Across The Midwest (2022/10/21)

Announces Appointment of Deborah K. Pawlowski to Board of Directors (2022/10/18)

Facility to Open in Grand Rapids, MI (2022/09/01)

Increase Revenue But Incur Additional Losses (2022/08/16)

Edible Garden Reports Zero-Waste Inspired® ESG/Sustainability Mandate (2022/07/07)

Announces Product Distribution with Hemingways (2022/05/27)

Image provided by Edible Garden