Meijer to work with Revolution Farms on fresh, sustainable lettuce year-round
Meijer is joining forces with Michigan’s premier hydroponic lettuce farms, Revolution Farms, to help bring local lettuce and salad greens to consumers year-round.
Through this partnership, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer emphasized its efforts to provide customers with cut, whole leaf and whole head lettuce varieties, as well as cut lettuce for all of its ready-to-eat salads across its six-state footprint.
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"Supporting local farms and carrying the freshest, most nutritious ingredients is important to us and to our customers," said Sarah Jennings, Meijer produce buyer. "As a Michigan, family company, we are committed to being good stewards of our community by not only constantly enhancing our own sustainable practices, but also by using our shelves as a platform to promote brands that share our passion."
According to the companies, Revolution Farms’ salad mixes have shown a longer shelf life in store and at home. To accomplish this, the farm harvests at its peak growth and packages the products on-site. The end result is distributing its non-GMO lettuces to Meijer within one or two days of harvest, the companies said.
"Food tastes better when it's grown closer to you. Meijer is our hometown retail partner, so partnering with them to expand their local greens selection, as well as growing the lettuce for their salad kits, will help more families easily find sustainably-grown, nutrient-rich greens," said John Green, founder and CEO of Revolution Farms. "Our recent greenhouse expansion has given us the ability to grow even more lettuce varieties, as well as become a Meijer Fresh partner."
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In addition to having Revolution Farms branded products in the produce department of all Meijer stores, the two companies are also working to localize and enhance the Fresh from Meijer salad kits.
Currently, Meijer customers can find Revolution Farms branded products on shelves under the Lettuce Boats, Whole Leaf Romaine and Sweet Crisp Deli Leaf Whole items, as well as Whole Head Living Bibb and Whole Head Living Sweet Crisp.
Located in West Michigan, Revolution Farms can grow up to 1.5 million lbs. of fresh lettuce each year, the companies said. Meijer currently operates 262 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.