Indoor grower BrightFarms has opened its newest greenhouse in Macon, Ga., which parent company Cox Farms says is the most advanced in the state. The fully automated greenhouse facility is attached to the Cox Farms Discovery Center, where the company is focused on driving innovation and accessibility.
“The Cox Farms Discovery Center serves as a hub for the next generation of agricultural workers, where growers and leaders across Cox Farms can come together for discussion, learning and collaboration in order to continue to advance the pace of greenhouse growing innovation,” Jessica Soare, senior director of marketing at Bright Farms, told The Packer. “Additionally, it will serve as an interactive space for fostering partnerships with key retailers, influencers and media.”
At present, the Macon site is designed to produce approximately 22,000 pounds of lettuce per day, helping reduce food miles and improve food security in the region, the company said in a release. It currently houses eight acres of growing space under glass, with an additional 24 acres to be developed on the property as demand in the Southeast builds, which Soare said is expected to be quickly.
What makes the Macon greenhouse the most advanced in the state?
“We have combined the best systems and partners to create a fully automated, touch-free, end-to-end production method,” Soare said. “In particular, we combine Kubo's Ultra-Clima technology, which uses advanced systems to control and operate the greenhouse environment, with Green Automation mobile gutter system that allows for full automation within the system. Combined, the system works to maximize productivity and food safety, while decreasing energy and water consumption.”
Following the openings of the greenhouse hubs in Texas and Illinois, the BrightFarms Macon facility marks the company's third major greenhouse since the summer of 2024.
This will add to the more than 700 acres of indoor farming in operation by Cox Farms, which says it's the largest greenhouse operator in the U.S. and Canada.
“BrightFarms is always looking at new markets to expand its greenhouse operations to,” Soare said. “Its current footprint allows it to reach two-thirds of America with its regional greenhouse model, and we are continuing to evaluate opportunities to expand our footprint to better serve regions that are not within our current close reaching geographical footprint. As greenhouse grown lettuce continues to gain more mainstream momentum, we will follow that consumer to where there is demand.”
Acquired by Cox Enterprises in 2021, BrightFarms operates hydroponic greenhouse farms in the communities it serves, cutting transportation time, distance and complexity from the food supply chain and expanding access to fresh, locally grown produce.
BrightFarms also says its growing methods use less land and water on a per yield basis than traditional field-grown agriculture. From classic greens to crunchy mixes and salad kits, its lettuce options are available in more than 6,400 retail stores across central, eastern and southwest U.S.
Cox Farms' consumer brands include BrightFarms and Mucci Farms. The company, owned by Cox Enterprises — a multigenerational, family-owned business — says its revenues are approaching $1 billion and its workforce comprises more than 1,300 employees.