BrightFarms’ leading-edge greenhouses are transforming agriculture by growing fresh, leafy greens indoors. It’ s a model rooted in sustainability, with greens free from pesticides and ripe for growth.
Its newest facility in Macon, Georgia, features 8 acres under glass— expandable to 32 acres— and is 100 % automated, from seeding to harvesting to packaging. Equipped with a high-tech lettuce-growing system and climate technology, its hydroponic greenhouses use less land and water per acre than traditional fieldgrown agriculture. Produce grows 365 days a year, unaffected by harsh weather or harmful pests.
“ Thousands of sensors measure everything related to humidity, CO2 levels and temperature. Our advanced Ultra-Clima greenhouses utilize all of that information to grow better-yielding, better-tasting greens, without compromising sustainability,” said Jess Soare, vice president of marketing at BrightFarms, which is part of Cox Farms.“ We’ ve invested in the most advanced cooling technologies, which allow us to maintain a 72-degrees-and-sunny environment year-round.”
A CRUCIAL LOCATION Beyond innovative growing technologies that produce clean, crunchy leafy greens, the facility is also notable for its strategic location. Eight out of 10 counties in the region are considered food insecure, which makes Macon’ s proximity to key shipping routes ideal to serve communities in need.
What’ s more, the Southeast is one of the fastest-growing markets for indoor-grown greens.“ This facility allows us to meet rising demand with high-quality, locally grown produce,” said Abby Prior, chief commercial officer of Cox Farms.“ We’ re also proud to be part of the Georgia Grown program, supporting local agriculture and contributing to the state’ s economy.”
The Macon facility is one of three regional greenhouse hubs in full operation. With other facilities in Lorena, Texas, and Yorkville, Illinois, BrightFarms can now serve two-thirds of Americans with its leafy greens at peak freshness, while significantly reducing transportation miles.
SERVING THE GREATER GOOD Through Cox Farms, Cox Enterprises operates North America’ s largest greenhouse network aligned with our mission to build a better future for the next generation. In support of this mission, Cox Farms is partnering with Feeding America to address food insecurity by distributing fresh produce from its greenhouses to food banks and communities across the U. S. and Canada.
The company is also scaling its transformative agricultural practices through the first-ever Cox Farms Discovery Center. Located in Macon, this educational hub will train the next generation of Cox Farms agricultural workers, support retailers and further its mission to provide fresh, accessible produce for all.
“ Our deep commitment to Georgia is reflected in our investments across industries, from Cox Communications to philanthropic initiatives like Cox Conserves,” said Steve Bradley, president of Cox Farms.“ With our new Macon greenhouse, we’ re bringing the promise of fresh food to Georgia and the entire Southeast, supporting the future of agriculture, workforce development and community growth.”
A BRAND REFRESH BrightFarms’ packaging has a fresh new look. Showcasing the new tagline“ Salad Done Bright” along with updated product names, the vibrant redesign highlights BrightFarms’ commitment to fresh, pesticide-free, greenhouse-grown greens and prominently displays the greens themselves.
“ We’ ve always said our lettuce is exceptional, and now our packaging reflects that,” said Jess.“ With bright colors and our greens front, center and more visible than ever, the new look puts our freshness on display, making it easier for shoppers to see and experience the difference.”
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