SAN FRANCISCO – Vertical farming company Plenty has partnered with its retail customers to employ a first-of-its-kind Text-a-Farmer feature, on display next to its greens in-store, according to the company.  

Text-a-Farmer lets shoppers text questions while shopping and receive an answer directly from a Plenty farmer. Questions can cover anything related to Plenty and its produce, including “Do you use pesticides on your leafy greens,” “Is your packaging recyclable,” or “How do I keep my greens fresh for longer?” 

“At Plenty, we’re proud of the fresh, flavorful greens we grow in our farm, and of our transparent growing process, which lets us track a plant from seed to kitchen,” said Nate Storey, co-founder and chief science officer at Plenty. “The Text-a-Farmer program is one way we can directly connect with customers and hear their personal questions and experiences. We’re always excited to engage with shoppers and help them learn more about our company and the delicious produce we grow.” 

Plenty has also expanded its products to 17 new Safeway stores across Northern California, bringing the total number of stores carrying Plenty produce in the region to 53.  

The additional Albertsons-owned stores are part of the multi-year agreement between the two companies to expand Plenty produce into over 430 Albertsons-owned stores across the state of California. The new store locations are primarily in smaller communities, making Plenty the first indoor, vertically farmed produce available to these shoppers, according to the company.  

Plenty’s sustainable farm delivers produce year-round that tastes like it was picked fresh from the garden. Using data analytics, machine learning and customized lighting, Plenty is able to coax the natural flavors and nutrients from the plants, creating a superior taste experience from leafy greens.  

All store locations carry four of Plenty’s flavor-first products: baby arugula, baby kale, crispy lettuce and mizuna mix.