80 Acres Farms
Locations: 3 indoor vertical farms, 3 R&D facilities and 1 office, based in Hamilton, Ohio
Sustainability Initiatives: Hiring a senior manager of sustainability to oversee operations, growing with renewable electricity, composting organic waste from leafy greens production, participating in CEA Alliance’s Food Safety Best Practice Guides, Resource Innovation Institute’s Water & Energy Benchmarking, measuring and setting targets for annual greenhouse gas emissions and providing educational outreach, including two mini demonstration trucks.
In their own words: “We have developed a sustainability strategy focused on four core principles: PLANTS (how we grow), PRODUCT (product and packaging), PEOPLE (community and engagement) and PLANS (farm infrastructure). Each principle helps frame and drive our business—this helps us ensure that as we grow as a company, we continue to drive our impact—for good.
80 Acres Farms has set emissions reduction targets through the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) via the small and medium enterprise pathway. The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from 80 Acres Farms operations (scopes 1 and 2) are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement.”
Anu
Locations: 3, based in Evansville, Indiana
Sustainability Initiatives: Through partnerships with multiple industries and institutions ranging from educational and correctional facilities to healthcare and defense, anu provides skilled training on its aeroponics production system. It supports underserved communities through “Food as Medicine” programs, providing fresh, nutritious produce and enabling communities to be self-sufficient and reduce reliance on external supply chains.
In their own words: “Our Rotary Aeroponics technology reduces water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional farming methods. By enabling vertical farming, we maximize food production on minimal land, reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. Our decentralized systems eliminate the need for long transportation, significantly reducing fuel usage and carbon emissions.”
“Our technology consumes 5–10 times less energy than conventional indoor farming systems, utilizing advanced lighting and nutrient delivery systems. We use bioresin-based seed pods made from plant feedstock, reducing reliance on single-use plastics.”
Fork Farms
Locations: 1 office and 1 warehouse, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sustainability Initiatives: Partnering with health care companies, schools, food service, community service and hospitality, among others, Fork Farms installs Flex Farm hydroponic vertical farming systems that use 98% less water than traditional farming, with highly energy-efficient production. Flex Farms have been installed in 48 states and 14 countries.
In their own words: “In an effort to tackle persistent climate issues, high food prices, and food insecurity in the Caribbean, 42 Flex Farms have been installed in Caribbean communities on seven islands.”
“In 2024, this project saved 8,609 pounds of food waste, conserved 182,532 kWh of CO2, saved more than 70,000 food miles, conserved 490,000 gallons of water compared to traditional agriculture, and produced more than 100,000 servings of fresh foods. When fully scaled, this project has the potential to save more than 43,000 pounds of food waste, conserve more than 900,000 kWh of CO2, save more than 350,000 food miles, conserve close to 2.5 million gallons of water compared to traditional agriculture, and produce more than 500,000 servings of fresh foods.”
