Vertical indoor farming is transforming how food reaches consumers, particularly in urban areas. Growing produce on-site or close to retail locations reduces the environmental impact of food production.
It shortens the supply chain, lowers transportation emissions, and ensures peak freshness – benefiting both the planet and consumers.
This trend extends beyond supermarkets to convenience stores, with 7-Eleven leading the way.
Through a new partnership with vertical farming company Plenty Unlimited, the convenience giant offers fresh, sustainably-grown salads across 1300 of its stores in California, USA.
These salads, featuring pesticide-free, locally grown greens, bring eco-friendly options to consumers on the go.
Vertical farming technology is highly efficient, using only 1 per cent of the land and up to 90 per cent less water than traditional farms while producing yields up to 350 times higher per acre. The produce is grown without pesticides and reaches customers quickly due to its proximity to distribution centres.
“We’re proud to be working with 7-Eleven to bring sustainably grown produce into the heart of communities across California,” said Dana Worth, SVP, Commercial at Plenty.
“Expanding our footprint into convenience stores with 7-Eleven is a big step in making fresh, locally grown produce more accessible.”
The new salad offerings include options like the California Cobb, with chicken, egg, grape tomatoes, applewood bacon, and cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend, and the Chicken Caesar, featuring parmesan, croutons, and a fresh lemon wedge—all using Plenty’s crispy, pesticide-free lettuce.
Marissa Jarratt, chief marketing and sustainability officer at 7-Eleven, emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainable practices.
“As part of our Good Made Easy approach, we’re finding ways to offer products that not only meet our customers’ expectations for quality and convenience but also contribute positively to environmental sustainability at scale,” she added.
7-Eleven plans to roll out this technology globally, beginning with Japan next year.
