3. Aerofarms

Founded over ten years ago in the Finger Lakes area of New York State, Aerofarms now owns the largest indoor annual farm in the world, based on growing capacity. Their global headquarters in Newark, New Jersey is set to produce up to two million pounds per year of produce which will be supplied to the New York area.

By growing plants in their fully-controlled, indoor facilities, Aerofarms is capable of commercial-scale production all throughout the year, unhampered by weather and seasonal patterns—factors that conventional industrial farming is susceptible to. By situating their facilities in close proximity to major cities and major distribution routes, they are able to deliver locally grown produce to the market fresh. Moreover, by employing aeroponics (the method of spraying plant roots with a nutritious mixture) Aerofarms is able to reduce their water consumption by 95%, compared to field farming.

Aerofarms currently has four farms in the Newark area—including one on the Phillips Academy Charter School campus—and have farms in development in multiple states and on four continents. As of now, numerous restaurants in the area purchase their greens for Aerofarms and its produce is also available for purchase at a retail level in grocery stores like Shop Rite.