Cox Enterprises launches new greenhouse growing business
Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises has launched Cox Farms, a new business focused on sustainable food and agriculture. With Mucci Farms and BrightFarms in its growing portfolio, Cox Farms is one of the largest greenhouse operators in North America, harvesting 360 million pounds of produce annually, according to a news release.
The company said Cox Farms will continue to pursue additional ventures and investments in the indoor agriculture space.
“We are excited to build and scale a better future for farmers and consumers by ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable food supply, regardless of calendar or climate,” Cox Farms President Steve Bradley said in the release. “This is a significant milestone for us, as we are disrupting traditional agriculture and bringing the promise of indoor agriculture to fruition at a scale never seen before.”
Cox Enterprises, a multigenerational family-owned business, has a history in agriculture dating back 125 years when Ohio farmer-turned-entrepreneur James M. Cox planted the seeds for his first business venture, the release said. Today the company is developing a multinational network of indoor farms.
"As multigenerational family businesses rooted in a passion for growing fresh produce, we are thrilled to be part of the Cox Farms family as we embark on a partnership fueled by shared values and a collective vision for the future of farming,” Bert Mucci, CEO and managing partner at Mucci Farms, said in the release. “Our mutual drive to innovate in the agriculture space at all levels fuels our mission to enhance accessibility and promote the consumption of clean, sustainable, fruits and vegetables."
Cox Farms says it aims to achieve stable conditions in greenhouses, with a higher yield per acre, and no harmful chemicals or pesticides. Cox Farms serves some the biggest names in retail across thousands of stores, the release said.
“BrightFarms is pioneering the future of sustainable agriculture with our advanced indoor farming methods, focusing on producing the freshest, most sustainable leafy greens locally," BrightFarms CEO Steve Platt said in the release. "Together, we are poised to accelerate and expand our mission, leveraging shared resources and vision to build operation capacity that will make healthy, locally grown food more accessible while caring for our planet.”
With anticipated revenues approaching $1 billion and a workforce comprising nearly 2,500 employees, Cox Farms embodies a triple-bottom-line philosophy that strives to improve the planet, elevate human health and ensure robust financial returns, the release said.
