United Natural Foods and Square Roots to Co-locate Indoor Farms at Distribution Centers Across North America

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) (“UNFI”) and Square Roots, the technology leader in indoor farming, today announced a new agreement to co-locate Square Roots' indoor farms on-site at select UNFI distribution centers. The first Square Roots farm, approximately 20,000 square feet in size, is planned for UNFI’s Prescott, Wis. facility and is scheduled to open in 2023.

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Square Roots has pioneered a vertically integrated model for indoor farming, and can deploy its modular, cloud-connected farms in any location on a small footprint at quick speed to create optimal conditions to consistently grow fresh produce throughout the year. The first Square Roots farm, approximately 20,000 square feet in size, is planned for UNFI’s Prescott, Wis. facility and is scheduled to open in 2023. (Photo: Business Wire)

As part of its Better For All initiative, UNFI is focused on building closer relationships with its produce suppliers to build an efficient, expansive, high-quality supply chain network designed to shorten the time it takes to deliver produce to retail customers. Produce from the first Square Roots farm co-located with UNFI is intended to serve UNFI's retail customers in Wisconsin and Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area.

“Today’s consumer is focused on the quality and freshness of their produce and relies on their local grocer to provide consistent access to high quality, locally grown food, all year round that won’t spoil the day after they bring it home,” said Dorn Wenninger, Senior Vice President of Produce at UNFI. “Our relationship with Square Roots and their innovative indoor farming model not only strengthens our supply chain and gives back days of freshness to consumers, but also furthers our ambitious ESG initiatives and helps UNFI make progress toward our goals to reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and advance sustainable agriculture and operations.”

Square Roots has pioneered a vertically integrated model for indoor farming, and can deploy its modular, cloud-connected farms in any location on a small footprint at quick speed to create optimal conditions to consistently grow fresh produce throughout the year. Crops are also harvested and packed inside the Square Roots facility, ready for distribution to customers the same day of harvest.