Automated greenhouse produces Free! Leafy Greens

Fresh Local Produce of Ohio, Hudson, is shipping salad greens to area retailers under the Free! Leafy Greens.

The products aren’t actually free, but they are “free” of chemicals, GMO and human handling, according to a news release from the automated greenhouse grower, which has a 2-acre growing facility.

The company started production in February, and the Baby Red & Green Leaf, Crisp Baby Green Leaf and Baby Spring Mix packs from Fresh Local Produce of Ohio are being stocked at Acme Fresh Markets, Giant Eagle and Buehler’s Fresh Foods. The Free! Leafy Greens products are in stores in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

“This is what we call hands-free cultivation,” Anthony Umina, managing member of Fresh Local Produce, said in the release. “Food safety is at the top of everyone’s priority list today, retailers, restaurants and consumers alike. Our hands-free cultivation in the controlled environment of a greenhouse checks all the boxes for safe and sustainable growing.”

The company joined that Safe Quality Food Initiative, which conducts on-site audits.

The lettuce is in stores within 24 hours of harvest.

The grower worked with Green Automation Americas on the automatic production system.

“They looked at yield numbers, plant density, labor efficiency and the costs involved to achieve an economically viable operation,” Patrik Borenius, CEO of Green Automation Americas, said in the release. “Our fully automated growing system with moving open-gutters achieves the highest plant density and operates efficiently on a commercial scale.”