BrightFarms announces new Virginia greenhouse to supply Ahold stores

Ahold USA’s Giant and Martin’s stores, as well as its Peapod delivery service, will soon offer produce from a BrightFarms greenhouse in Culpeper County, Va., the produce supplier announced.

The BrightFarms Capitol Greenhouse — slated for completion in December — will exclusively supply Ahold stores in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware.

The 150,000-square-foot greenhouse is expected to grow 1 million pounds of produce, including spinach, arugula, Asian greens, spring mix, kale and baby greens blends, as well as vine, cocktail and grape tomatoes.

“Ahold USA has worked closely with BrightFarms to make this exciting partnership in sustainability and local job creation a reality. In keeping with our environmental initiatives, we’re proud to align with BrightFarms in its mission to better the health of the planet by improving the environmental impact of the food supply chain, and this project takes us one step closer,” David Lessard, VP for fresh produce, Ahold USA, said in a press release.

“Demand for locally grown produce is growing exponentially and we are pleased to be part of this exclusive opportunity to provide our customers with the freshest, healthiest, most sustainable produce available — year round.”