Part of its “ambitious and rapid” expansion, indoor grower BrightFarms has opened its first greenhouse in Texas, bringing its fresh, locally grown leafy greens to the South Central and Southwest for the first time, according to a news release.
Building on the recent unveiling of its Illinois greenhouse, the Lorena, Texas site is the second of three regional hubs the Irvington, New York-based BrightFarms is poised to open in 2024, the company said.
“Texans deserve the freshest, highest-quality produce, and we’re thrilled to deliver just that,” said Steve Platt, CEO of BrightFarms, in the release. “With our greenhouse expertise and cutting-edge technology, we’re bringing year-round access to fresh greens to the Lone Star State. As proud members of the Go Texan Program, we’re committed to not only providing top-tier produce but also supporting the growth of Texas agriculture.”
The Lorena greenhouse, which will cover 1.5 million square feet upon completion, is designed with cooling technology such as KUBO’s Ultra-Clima system, enabling BrightFarms to create and sustain optimal growing conditions year-round, regardless of the Texas heat or external climate conditions, the company said.
BrightFarms says the new facility also will create over 250 job opportunities for Lorena and the surrounding Texas triangle area, offering competitive benefits available from the very first day of employment.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome BrightFarms into our community, creating jobs and bringing fresh, locally grown produce right here to Lorena,” said Lorena Mayor Tommy Ross. “Their commitment to innovative agriculture practices not only drives economic development but also ensures that Texans have access to fresh, healthy greens grown right in their backyard.”
In October 2020, family-owned Cox Enterprises became the majority investor in BrightFarms and in August 2021, fully acquired the company. In November 2024, Cox Farms — Cox Enterprises’ venture into controlled environment agriculture — surpassed 700 acres across its brands including BrightFarms and Mucci Farms.
“Cox Farms is building a leading indoor farming company in North America, and BrightFarms, one of our brands, reflects that commitment,” said Steve Bradley, president of Cox Farms. “With the opening of our new greenhouse in Texas, we are taking another significant step toward securing a sustainable food supply. This milestone reinforces Cox’s investment of over $2 billion in sustainable businesses and technologies, ensuring healthy, responsibly grown produce for generations to come.”
With an ability to expand to nearly 100 acres, BrightFarms’ new greenhouses in Texas, Illinois and Georgia will enable the company to reach over two-thirds of the U.S. population, the release said.
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