Little Leaf Farms, a leader in the sustainable growth of packaged lettuce using controlled environment agriculture (CEA), has announced plans to open a state-of-the-art greenhouse in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, this fall. This expansion will mark the fifth greenhouse for the company and its second within the state of Pennsylvania.
With an additional 10 acres of indoor cultivation space dedicated to fresh, sustainably grown lettuce, Little Leaf Farms is set to increase its retail presence to nearly 5,000 grocery stores, making its fresh produce accessible in major retailers across the Midwest to the Southeast.
The company announced its expansion news during a ceremony on May 31, which included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and other state representatives. Little Leaf Farms, which owns 180 acres in McAdoo, has quickly emerged as the state’s largest producer of indoor-grown leafy greens. The company opened its first 10-acre greenhouse in July 2022 and by the end of 2023, anticipates employing over 170 individuals.
Paul Sellew, Founder and CEO of Little Leaf Farms, shared the company’s dedication to sustainable produce production and delivering fresh, flavorful leafy greens to consumers. “Our expansion in Pennsylvania exemplifies how we’ve been able to scale our efficient production and operations consistently,” Sellew said. “We’re delighted to have increased our retail sales by more than 50% in the past year, confirming our position as the country’s top brand of sustainably grown packaged lettuce through CEA.”
The added 10 acres of greenhouse capacity represents a significant increase, enabling Little Leaf Farms to harvest more than 20 million pounds of leafy greens annually across its sites. The new greenhouse will utilize advanced technology and efficiencies, including heating, cooling, and lighting systems. It will harness the power of the sun and fresh rainwater while integrating the company’s automated grow system, meaning the leafy greens are untouched from seed to packaging and never require washing. The produce is farmed year-round, harvested daily, and delivered from the greenhouse to the grocery store within 24 hours.
Governor Shapiro applauded Little Leaf Farms’ investment, citing Pennsylvania’s significant contributions to the country’s agriculture sector. “Little Leaf Farms’ investment in our Commonwealth signifies that the future of agriculture and innovation is being cultivated right here in Carbon County. My administration will continue to support our farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who want to grow and thrive in the Commonwealth,” said Shapiro.
As part of the ceremony, Little Leaf Farms also donated $10,000 to Feeding Pennsylvania, a local nonprofit addressing hunger and food insecurity across the state. This contribution will be distributed to member food banks throughout the region to aid those struggling with food insecurity.
The company recently projected breaking and Devens $100 million in retail sales by the end of 2023, and, with additional space available in Pennsylvania for future development, Little Leaf Farms looks forward to expanding its greenhouse operations in Pennsylvania and Devens, Massachusetts, where it currently operates three greenhouses.
Image: PA Governor Josh Shapiro (center left) and other state officials welcome Little Leaf Farms’ leadership, including Founder and CEO Paul Sellew (center right), at a ribbon cutting in McAdoo, PA. Photo Credit: Commonwealth Media Services.
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