ATLANTA, GA - To innovate is to grow, and growth is something Pete’s understands very well. The California-based greenhouse grower is expanding its roots into the Peach State as it recently announced an $18 million investment in its first Eastern U.S. indoor, controlled environment agriculture facility.

“The food we put into our bodies has environmental implications,” said Brian Cook, Pete’s CEO. “Our ethos has always been centered around taking care of our team, our local communities, and the environment. Our goal with our new Georgia facility is to expand on our mission, helping to ensure that consumers in the Southeast have access to clean, sustainable greens that are grown close to home.”

Pete’s is planning on utilizing 24 acres of growing area in Peach County to satisfy its retail and foodservice partners’ needs. The indoor growing facility will require 90 percent less land and water compared to traditional farming.

Fifteen jobs will be created, and the company will be hiring for a variety of positions including General Manager, production, growing, logistics, food safety, and Office Manager, as well as general administrative roles.

“Agriculture is our top industry, and Pete’s will bring another game-changing, innovative, and sustainable indoor farming facility to Georgia as we continue to feed the world from the Peach State,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. “Georgia’s number one business climate, top-notch logistics network, and commitment to innovation continue to attract jobs and opportunities for hardworking Georgians, and I thank Pete’s for investing in Peach County and the surrounding region.”

Located in Warner Robins in Peach County, Georgia, the new facility will be in Robins International Industrial Park, a “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) Certified site, with “Select” status. To earn GRAD program certification from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDED), a property must undergo due diligence and complete specific certification requirements prior to a visit by a prospective business.

Completing the GRAD certification program with GDED is a proactive way both community planners and landowners can help catalyze economic growth and industrial development for the regions they serve. The GRAD Select status is an indication that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements to attract development.

Consisting of four varieties, Pete’s Greenhouse Fresh line will offer environmentally conscious consumers in the Southeast a range of fresh and sustainable packaged salad varieties. In addition, Greenhouse Fresh packaging containers are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled material; are 100 percent recyclable; and their flexible, re-sealable closures use less plastic and emit less CO₂ than other plastic closures. Pete’s is also partnering with 1% For The Planet, pledging 1 percent of Greenhouse Fresh sales to The Recycling Partnership in an effort to help improve the recycling system.

For more information on this exciting new development, click here.

Keep checking back to ANUK as we bring you the latest in the industry.

Pete’s