Square Roots (previously Square Roots Urban Growers), a hydroponic vertical farming startup, has announced opening a new vertical container farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in partnership with Gordon Food Service, the largest food distributor in North America.

The Kenosha facility will produce herbs such as basil cilantro, dill, parsley, microgreens, and salad mixes, with a capacity to produce 2.4 million packages per year. With this farm, Square Roots aims to supply customers in the Midwest, including cities like Milwaukee and Chicago. Operations are expected to start by March 2022.

This will be the fourth and reportedly largest farm in Square Roots’ vertical farming network. The farm is built using refurbished containers and will leverage Square Roots’ technology platform and its smart hydroponic growing systems to produce food using 95% less water and zero pesticides throughout the year compared to outdoor farms. 

Analyst QuickTake: The announcement of the new facility comes amidst rising demand for Square Roots’ products. The company also unveiled a new brand identity last December, aiming to widen its online and retail presence and cater to the increasing demand. As of February 2022, Square Roots operates two commercial farms in New York and Michigan, operating around 20 container farms that supply to over 250 stores across the US, which includes popular names such as Whole Foods Market, Fresh Direct, and Meijer.