California Giant Berry Farms and OnePointOne have formed a strategicpartnership to increase berry production and availability through vertical farming and data-driven cultivation.
Silicon Valley-based OnePointOne has developed aninnovative indoorautomated vertical growing technology that it says offers superior yields and product quality, while also allowing crops to be grown closer to the end consumer. Through this partnership, California Giant will share its berry expertise with OnePointOne and the two companies will collaborate on data and research, paving the way for the production of berries with improved nutritional value, taste and availability, all while minimizing environmental impact.
Initially, the project will focus on developing a unique strawberry cultivar in OnePointOne's automated, aeroponic, vertical-wall indoor field.
"OnePointOne's plant scientists, robotics and AI will identify the ideal time for planting, pollination, flowering and harvesting that will result in the highest quality strawberries and brix levels," said Sam Bertram, CEO and co-founder of OnePointOne. The results learned within the data-rich indoor environment will then be shared with California Giant's main divisions and applied to traditional field-grown techniques in the future.
Vertical growing facilities are currently located in California and Arizona with the aim of expanding them across the country to improve the availability and accessibility of fresh berries.
"One of California Giant's strategic goals is to have berries when and where our customers need them," said Joe Barsi, president of California Giant Berry Farms. "We have been watching OnePointOne's progress for some time and are excited about the possibility of this partnership allowing us to have locally grown berries in various markets across the United States as a supplement to our current production."
Betram continued: "Plants are the foundation of human nutrition, and berries are a key piece of the equation. By augmenting the current supply chain with OnePointOne's technology and California Giant's knowledge and mission, we truly believe we can build a healthier humanity where access and availability are greater than ever."
