State of the Art Green House Coming to Lake City. Green Life Farms Will Grow 3 mil Pounds of Environmentally Friendly Produce Yearly
Posted April 30, 2021 08:45 am
LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Green Life Farms announced it has commenced construction on its second hydroponic greenhouse in Florida on a 24-acre parcel of land in Lake City. Using state-of-the-art hydroponic technology, Green Life Farms will grow leafy greens in oxygenated water – without soil – then harvest and package them in a controlled environment, reducing the risk of contamination and preserving flavor and freshness.
Following the success of its flagship hydroponic greenhouse in Lake Worth and significant customer demand for its products, Green Life Farms is constructing a 400,000 square foot greenhouse in Lake City. The facility is expected to begin commercial operations in early 2022.
“Following our very successful launch in South Florida, we are proud to announce this new facility to serve North Central Florida - the Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Tallahassee regions,” said Forrest Sawlaw, COO, Green Life Farms. "In light of ongoing food safety concerns across the country, now more than ever, customers are looking for locally grown, clean produce. Our innovative hydroponic technology will deliver the cleanest and freshest leafy greens, all free from GMOs, pesticides, and contaminants."
Green Life Farms anticipates construction of the new Lake City facility to create 80 jobs. Once commercial operations begin, the organization expects to hire 20 to 28 full-time employees and grow 3 million pounds of leafy greens annually in its state-of-the-art facility, using the latest agricultural innovations to keep its greens fresh, and its carbon footprint small.
Green Life Farms will incorporate specialized ozone water management technology to filter, sanitize and store rainwater for use in the growing process and rely on Florida sunshine – meaning the facility will use significantly fewer natural resources.
Green Life Farms' Lake City greenhouse will produce 18 harvests each year and use 90 percent less water than conventional farming. Plants remain undisturbed throughout the growing process.
The greens are gently moved at full maturity using a floating conveyor system to be harvested, cooled, and packaged for local grocers, restaurants, and others.
Instead of the 8 to 10 days, it may take conventionally farmed produce to reach customers, most of which is trucked thousands of miles across the country from California or Arizona, produce will reach customers within a few days of harvest.
Green Life Farms' process combines technology with agricultural best practices to grow premium leafy greens, focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Its produce is cultivated without soil in clean, nutrient-rich oxygenated water, using natural sunlight and airflow in state-of-the-art greenhouses. Greens are harvested and packaged in a controlled environment to create the cleanest produce year-round and delivered locally to ensure premium freshness and a small carbon footprint.
Green Life Farms' products, including Baby Arugula, Baby Kale, Baby Romaine, Farmer's Blend, and Butterhead Lettuce, are currently sold at more than 120 grocery store locations throughout South Florida, including the largest regional grocery chain and several boutique markets. In addition, Green Life Farms has partnered with one of the biggest meal delivery services in the U.S. to serve its customers throughout the Southeast.
