In the rapidly changing landscape of controlled environment agriculture, all eyes of late have been on Kentucky, where AppHarvest had operated four separate greenhouse facilities in Berea, Somerset, Morehead and Richmond.
Since July, when AppHarvest filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the fate of its four facilities has been in flux. Equilibrium Capital purchased the Richmond and Morehead facilities from AppHarvest as part of the bankruptcy process. Mastronardi Produce has announced Equilibrium has separately leased the Richmond and Morehead facilities to a Mastronardi Kentucky tenant operator. The two facilities represent a combined 120 acres of fully lit production, according to a news release.
Additionally, the Berea facility transaction is now complete. Mastronardi Berea LLC is in lawful possession, owns and operates the Berea, Ky.-based leafy green facility, a spokesperson for Mastronardi Produce said.
“We are very proud to keep the Morehead and Richmond facilities online and to grow with the teams there,” Paul Mastronardi, president and CEO of Mastronardi Produce Ltd., said in the release. “It is a privilege to continue to serve this region through sustainable farming, providing local jobs in Appalachia and nutritious food across the U.S.”
The Kingsville, Ontario-based company and former AppHarvest distribution partner says it has established a support team to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of operations for employees at Morehead and Richmond.
“As leaders in commercial greenhouse growing, we’re invested in expanding both productive capacity in the industry and employment opportunities for workers,” Mastronardi said. “We look forward to providing employees opportunities to continue their careers in the industry and also to grow within our ‘Flavor Nation’ family.”
As for AppHarvest’s Somerset facility, Dutch company Bosch Growers was on track to acquire the 30-acre berry and cucumber farm in early September, but on Sept. 29, the Lexington Herald Leader reported that the deal was in jeopardy. On Oct. 2, the Herald Leader reported that the $44 million deal to sell the Somerset greenhouse to Bosch was back on.
