Compton Chamber of Commerce regrets to inform the business community and the residents of Compton that Plenty, a vertical farming company, has announced the closure of its Compton, California, facility as part of a strategic shift to focus exclusively on strawberry production. This unfortunate decision comes less than two years after the Compton farm's opening.
Compton Facility Closure
The Compton farm, which opened in May 2023, was celebrated as the world's most technologically advanced indoor vertical farm. It was designed to produce up to 4.5 million pounds of leafy greens annually within a single city block. The facility utilized Plenty's unique 3D vertical architecture, enabling yields up to 350 times greater per acre compared to conventional farming.
The Compton farm was Plenty's first commercial operation, marking a significant transition from startup to scaling business. However, rising operational costs in California, particularly increasing energy prices, have made sustaining operations at the site challenging. Consequently, Plenty has decided to close the Compton facility to concentrate resources on strawberry cultivation. Thank you Bidenomics!!!
Strategic Shift to Strawberries
Plenty's pivot to strawberries is driven by several factors:
Market Demand: Strawberries fill a supply gap, offering a locally grown product with peak-season flavor year-round.
Economic Viability: Strawberries command a premium price, enhancing the company's profitability.
Technological Adaptability: Plenty has developed a modular growing system flexible enough to support a wide variety of crops, including strawberries.
In September 2024, Plenty opened a 40,000-square-foot facility in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to strawberry production. This facility is expected to produce up to 4 million pounds of strawberries annually, underscoring the company's commitment to this crop.
Community Impact
The closure of the Compton farm marks the end of a significant chapter in Plenty's journey. Plenty has expressed gratitude to the Compton community, including Mayor Emma Sharif and the City Council, and the Compton Chamber of Commerce for their support. The company has been proud to hire many team members from Compton and engage with local schools to spark interest in STEM fields. Despite the closure, Plenty remains proud of the positive impact the Compton farm had on the community and the quality leafy greens it brought to local markets.
This strategic shift reflects Plenty's adaptation to market demands and operational challenges, positioning the company to focus on high-demand, high-value crops like strawberries.
Comments