FLORIDA - It’s more essential now than ever to lock arms with those around us to stay strong as we brave the eye of today’s COVID-19 crisis. Publix has been leading the charge in uniting the buy- and supply-sides to help the whole supply chain, with the Florida-based grocer again partnering with a grower-supplier to expand its produce aisle offerings.

Kalera, a vertical farm company, has sealed a deal with Publix to sell its lettuce and microgreens in 165 stores.

“To be able to keep working at full speed and to not have to throw away product, but more importantly to generate some revenue for our company, it was such a blessing at the absolute opportune time for us,” said Daniel Malechuk, Kalera’s CEO, to news source Orlando Sentinel.

Kalera’s operations are typically geared toward providing lettuce and microgreens to restaurants, theme parks, and other venues. However, with the coronavirus pandemic, the vertical farming company has had to look elsewhere to keep its products in demand—and Publix was the perfect partner to turn to.

The grower operates a 2,000-square-foot indoor hydroponic growing site at the Orland World Center Marriott and recently opened a larger facility in Central Florida.

“We perfected Mother Nature indoors by using science and technology with farming,” Malechuk disclosed to Spectrum News 13.

As part of Kalera’s partnership with Publix, the grocer acquired 20,000 pounds of lettuce from the grower for its donation program. On top of that, Kalera itself has donated 75,000 pounds of fresh vegetables.

Will more partnerships between retailers and growers sprout up as a strategic solution to today's market? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

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