A&P to be exclusive retailer of BrightFarms' Brooklyn-grown produce

NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P has inked an exclusive partnership with BrightFarms, becoming the only retailer of BrightFarms’ Brooklyn-grown produce from the world’s largest rooftop farm.

“Partnering with BrightFarms is a phenomenal opportunity to provide our customers with the freshest, local and most sustainable produce in the supermarket aisle,” stated Sam Martin, president and CEO of A&P. “We are committed to being the No. 1 food and drug store in the neighborhoods we serve, and this partnership gets us one step closer to achieving that goal.”

BrightFarms finances, builds and operates greenhouses at or near supermarkets, bringing the farmer’s market to the supermarket. The multi-acre farm, a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse, will be built on 100,000 sq. ft. of rooftop space, establishing a new national model for urban agriculture.

The partnership between A&P and BrightFarms confirms that a new produce supply chain — one that is thousands of miles shorter — is well under way. The BrightFarms’ Brooklyn greenhouse is the world’s largest rooftop farm, growing up to 1 million lbs. of local produce per year. Now customers will be able to purchase local lettuce, tomatoes and herb varieties at their neighborhood A&P, The Food Emporium, Pathmark or Waldbaum’s in the New York metropolitan area.

A&P’s new marketing campaign reflects its commitment to providing better products and shortening its supply chain. Under the campaign, entitled “Shopping Just Got a Whole Lot Better,” A&P is adapting each store to reflect the neighborhoods it serves. A&P is working to increase the availability of local foods and improve the shopping experience at every store.

A greenhouse groundbreaking event is scheduled for September. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for the opening of the greenhouse in first quarter 2013.